Pulmonary hypertension reported with immune checkpoint inhibitors: a pharmacovigilance study

Abstract

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) restore immune response against cancer cells that can lead to immune-related adverse effects. While cardiovascular immune-related adverse effects are known to be associated with checkpoint inhibitors, recent case reports have raised concerns about the potential association with pulmonary hypertension (PH). By using the global pharmacovigilance database VigiBase, we investigated the onset of PH associated with ICI and propose a comprehensive description of the 42 cases of PH reported with ICI recorded in this database. Through this study and review of the cases published in the literature, we discuss the possible link between PH and ICI in the context of cancer in order to better understand this rare but potentially fatal event.

Keywords: Adverse drug reactions; Auto-immune disorders; Immune checkpoint inhibitors; Pharmacovigilance; Pulmonary hypertension.