Cardiac Immunotherapy, Immuno-Cardiology and the Future of Cardiovascular Pharmacology.

Abstract

Immuno-cardiology is an emerging field that explores the interplay between the immune system, inflammation and cardiovascular health/disease, aiming to develop innovative therapies for preventing and treating cardiac diseases. Indeed, chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation play pivotal roles in most cardiovascular conditions, including arrhythmias, atherothrombosis, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and valve disease. Recent advances in immune-based therapies, including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T and CAR-macrophage (CAR-M) technologies, have demonstrated potential in impacting on cardiac fibrosis and thus improving surrogate endpoints in preclinical studies. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), while already established as an effective intervention in oncology, present challenges in their cardiovascular applications due to cardiotoxic side effects, highlighting the need for dedicated cardioprotective strategies or further molecular refinements. Nanoparticle-based delivery systems and cytokine-targeted therapies may offer precise modulation of immune responses, while gut microbiota interventions could exploit the systemic impact of inflammation on cardiovascular health. Despite these quite promising advances, barriers such as safety, scalability, and patient-specific responses must be addressed, and thus precision and personalized approaches will be crucial to overcoming these challenges and ensuring safe and also equitable access. By leveraging interdisciplinary collaboration and technological innovations, immuno-cardiology holds the promise of transforming the prevention and treatment landscape for cardiac diseases, paving the way for improved outcomes and quality of life for patients worldwide.