Rituximab-induced coronary vasospasm

Effect of Biologics on Cardiovascular Inflammation: Mechanistic Insights and Risk Reduction

It is increasingly recognized that atherosclerosis and consequently cardiovascular disease (CVD) are closely linked with inflammatory processes. The latter is in the center of the pathogenic mechanism underlying autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARD). It follows then, that optimal control of inflammation in ARDs may lead to a decrease of the accompanied CVD risk. Major trials (eg, CANTOS, CIRT), aimed at examining the possible benefits of immunomodulatory treatments in CVD, demonstrated conflicting results. On the other hand, substantial evidence is accumulating about the possible beneficial effects of biologic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) in patients with ARDs, particularly those with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It seems that bDMARDs (some more than others) alter the lipid profile in RA patients but do not adversely affect, in most cases, the TC/HDL ratio. Favorable effects are noted for arterial stiffness and endothelial function. This is reflected in the lower risk for CVD events, seen in observational studies of RA patients treated with bDMARDs. It should be stressed that more data exist for the TNF-inhibitors than for other bDMARDs, such as tocilizumab, abatacept and rituximab. As regards the spondyloarthropathies (SpA), data are less robust. For TNF-inhibitors, effects appear to be on par with those seen in RA but no conclusions can be drawn for newer biologic drugs used in SpA (eg, IL-17 blockers). Finally, there is accumulating evidence for a beneficial effect of immunosuppressive treatment in cardiac inflammation and function in several ARDs. Introduction of newer therapeutic options in clinical practice seem to have a positive impact on CVD in the setting of ARD. This is probably due to better control of inflammation, but direct improvement in vascular pathology is also a valid hypothesis. Most data are derived from observational studies and, therefore, randomized controlled trials are needed to assess the possible favorable effect of bDMARDs on CVD outcomes.

Non-ischemic cardiomyopathy after rituximab treatment for membranous nephropathy

Rituximab is an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody frequently used for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis. In addition, rituximab has recently been increasingly used as an off-label treatment in a number of inflammatory and systemic autoimmune diseases. It is advised that rituximab infusion may cause infusion reactions and adverse cardiac effects including arrhythmia and angina, especially in patients with prior history of cardiovascular diseases. However, its detailed cardiotoxicity profile and effects on cardiac function were not well described. We report a 51-year-old man who developed non-ischemic cardiomyopathy after rituximab treatment for membranous nephropathy. The patient experienced reduced cardiac functions within 48 hours after the initial infusion, which remained markedly reduced at 9-month follow-up. As the utility of rituximab expands, physicians must be aware of this serious cardiovascular adverse effect.

A case of coronary vasospasm after repeat rituximab infusion

Coronary artery vasospasm (CAV) can be triggered by medication reactions. CAV occurring after multiple exposures to rituximab has not been previously described. A 61-year-old woman with no cardiac risk factors was treated with the sixth cycle of gemcitabine, cisplatin, dexamethasone, and rituximab therapy. Fifteen minutes after rituximab infusion commenced, she developed typical cardiac chest pain with ST segment elevations on electrocardiogram. Angiogram revealed evidence of coronary vasospasm. The patient was successfully treated with amlodipine. This case underlines the importance of monitoring cardiac side effects of rituximab therapy, even after multiple cycles.

Rituximab-induced Takotsubo syndrome: more cardiotoxic than it appears?

Rituximab is used for treatment of multiple haematological cancers. Caution for use is advised in patients with significant cardiorespiratory disease due to known cases of exacerbations of angina and arrhythmias. However, its cardiotoxicity profile is not as well recognised as other monoclonal antibodies such as transtuzumab. We report a case of a 66-year-old man who developed Takotsubo's cardiomyopathy (TC) after an elective infusion of rituximab. This case is exceptional in that rituximab has not been linked to TC, and the vast majority of chemotherapy-linked and immunotherapy-linked TC reactions have occurred during initial infusions. We also discuss the different mechanisms which link TC to immunotherapy and chemotherapy, and propose that there may be a potential for risk-stratifying recipients of this frequently used immunotherapy prior to administering treatment.