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Ferone E, Segev A, Tempo E, Gentile P, Elsanhoury A, Baggio C, Artico J, Bhatti P, Scott P, Bobbio E, Merlo M, Ameri P, Sinagra G, Tschöpe C, Bromage D, Cannata A. Current treatment and immunomodulation strategies in Acute Myocarditis. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2024; 83:00005344-990000000-00282. [PMID: 38335530 PMCID: PMC11067867 DOI: 10.1097/fjc.0000000000001542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the myocardium characterized by a great heterogeneity of presentation and evolution. Treatment of myocarditis is often supportive and the evidence for immunosuppression is scarce and debated. Conventional treatment is based on clinical presentation, ranging from conservative to advanced mechanical assist devices. In this setting, immunosuppression and immunomodulation therapies are mostly reserved for patients presenting with major clinical syndromes. In this review, we will summarise the current evidence and strategies for conventional and immunosuppressive treatments for patients presenting with acute myocarditis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Ferone
- School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amitai Segev
- Cardiovascular Division, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat-Gan, Israel
- The Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Erika Tempo
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | | | - Ahmed Elsanhoury
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Berlin, Germany
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology, and Intensive Medicine (CVK), German Heart Center at Charite (DHZC), Berlin, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Chiara Baggio
- CardioThoracoVascular Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano-Isontina, Trieste, Italy
| | - Jessica Artico
- Department of Cardiology, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Prashan Bhatti
- School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Scott
- King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emanuele Bobbio
- Department of Cardiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Marco Merlo
- CardioThoracoVascular Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano-Isontina, Trieste, Italy
| | - Pietro Ameri
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
- Cardiovascular Disease Unit, Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Department, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy; and
| | - Gianfranco Sinagra
- CardioThoracoVascular Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano-Isontina, Trieste, Italy
| | - Carsten Tschöpe
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Berlin, Germany
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology, and Intensive Medicine (CVK), German Heart Center at Charite (DHZC), Berlin, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Heart Diseases, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Daniel Bromage
- School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Antonio Cannata
- School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
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Blagova O, Rud’ R, Kogan E, Zaitsev A, Nedostup A. Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Mycophenolate Mofetil and Azathioprine in Combination with Corticosteroids in the Treatment of Lymphocytic Myocarditis. J Clin Med 2023; 12:4913. [PMID: 37568313 PMCID: PMC10420198 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12154913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS This paper aimed to study the efficacy and safety of mycophenolate mofetil (MM) in combination with corticosteroids in the treatment of lymphocytic myocarditis (LM) when compared to the standard combination of corticosteroids and azathioprine. METHODS The study included 50 adult patients (47.8 ± 10.8 y.o.) in a NYHA III functional class due to LM who were verified using endomyocardial biopsy. The main group included 29 patients who received MM at 2 g/day. The comparison group comprised 21 patients who received azathioprine at 150 [50; 150] mg/day. Both groups were administered with methylprednisolone. The average follow-up period was 30 [22; 35] months, but no less than 6 months. RESULTS The groups were comparable in the baseline parameters and standard drug therapy. In both groups, there was a comparable significant increase in the ejection fraction (from 30.6 ± 7.7% to 44.0 ± 9.4% vs. 29.2 ± 7.7% to 46.2 ± 11.8%, p < 0.001), and a decrease in systolic pressure in the pulmonary artery and the dimensions of the left ventricle and atrium. The frequency of death was two (6.9%) and two (9.5%), transplantation was one (3.4%) and one (4.8%) patient and the "death + transplantation" endpoint was three (10.3%) and three (14.3%) without differences between the groups. The presence of the parvovirus B19 in the myocardium in 6/5 patients did not affect the results. The incidence of infectious complications was comparable. The most severe infectious complications were pneumonia and fatal purulent encephalitis (both cases in the azathioprine group), leptospirosis meningitis (in the mycophenolate mofetil group). CONCLUSIONS In the patients with LM, the combination of corticosteroids with MM at a dose of 2 g/day was at least no less effective than with azathioprine. There was a tendency toward a better tolerance using MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Blagova
- Department of Faculty Therapy No.1, N.V. Sklifosovsky Institute of Clinical Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 6, B. Pirogovskaya St., 119992 Moscow, Russia; (R.R.); (A.N.)
| | - Ruslan Rud’
- Department of Faculty Therapy No.1, N.V. Sklifosovsky Institute of Clinical Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 6, B. Pirogovskaya St., 119992 Moscow, Russia; (R.R.); (A.N.)
| | - Evgeniya Kogan
- Department of Pathology, N.V. Sklifosovsky Institute of Clinical Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119992 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Alexander Zaitsev
- Department of Endovascular Methods of Diagnostics and Treatment, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119992 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Alexander Nedostup
- Department of Faculty Therapy No.1, N.V. Sklifosovsky Institute of Clinical Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 6, B. Pirogovskaya St., 119992 Moscow, Russia; (R.R.); (A.N.)
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Naseeb MW, Adedara VO, Haseeb MT, Fatima H, Gangasani S, Kailey KR, Ahmed M, Abbas K, Razzaq W, Qayyom MM, Abdin ZU. Immunomodulatory Therapy for Giant Cell Myocarditis: A Narrative Review. Cureus 2023; 15:e40439. [PMID: 37456487 PMCID: PMC10349211 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.40439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Giant cell myocarditis (GCM) is a rare, often rapidly progressive, and potentially fatal disease because of myocardium inflammation due to the infiltration of giant cells triggered by infectious as well as non-infectious etiologies. Several studies have reported that GCM can occur in patients of all ages but is more commonly found in adults. It is relatively more common among African American and Hispanic patients than in the White population. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical. Electrocardiogram (EKG), complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and cardiac biomarkers such as troponin and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), echocardiogram, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), myocardial biopsy, and myocardial gene profiling are useful diagnostic tools. Current research has identified several potential biomarkers for GCM, including myocarditis-associated immune cells, cytokines, and other chemicals. The standard of care for GCM includes aggressive immunosuppressive therapy with corticosteroids and immunomodulatory agents like rituximab, cyclosporine, and infliximab, which have shown promising results in GCM by balancing the immune system and preventing the attack on healthy tissues, resulting in the reduction of inflammation, promotion of healing, and decreasing the necessity for cardiac transplantation. Without immunosuppression, the chance of mortality or cardiac surgery was 100%. Multiple studies have revealed that a treatment combination of corticosteroids and immunomodulatory agents is superior to corticosteroids alone. Combination therapy significantly increased transplant-free survival (TFS) and decreased the likelihood of heart transplantation, hence improving overall survival. It is important to balance the benefits of immunosuppression with its potentially adverse effects. In conclusion, immunomodulatory therapy adds significant long-term survival benefits to GCM.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Victor O Adedara
- Medicine, St. George's University School of Medicine, St. George's, GRD
| | | | - Hareem Fatima
- Internal Medicine, Federal Medical College, Islamabad, PAK
| | - Swapna Gangasani
- Internal Medicine, New York Medical College (NYMC) St. Mary's General Hospital and Saint Clare's Hospitals, New Jersey, USA
| | - Kamaljit R Kailey
- Medicine and Surgery, Gian Sagar Medical College and Hospital, Patiala, IND
| | - Moiz Ahmed
- Cardiology, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Karachi, PAK
| | - Kiran Abbas
- Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, PAK
| | | | | | - Zain U Abdin
- Medicine, District Headquarter Hospital, Faisalabad, PAK
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Hang W, Chen C, Seubert JM, Wang DW. Fulminant myocarditis: a comprehensive review from etiology to treatments and outcomes. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:287. [PMID: 33303763 PMCID: PMC7730152 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-00360-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Fulminant myocarditis (FM) is characterized by a rapid progressive decline in cardiac function and a high mortality rate. Since the first report of FM patients in the 1980s, several clinical trials and research studies have been published increasing our knowledge regarding FM. Currently, the diagnosis of FM depends on various techniques including electrocardiography, echocardiography, endomyocardial biopsy, and cardiac magnetic resonance. The development of mechanical circulation support (MCS) devices and progress in our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying FM, treatment regimens have evolved from simple symptomatic treatment to a life support-based comprehensive treatment approach. The core mechanism underlying the development of FM is the occurrence of an inflammatory cytokine storm. This review provides a comprehensive account of the current understanding of FM pathophysiology and knowledge regarding its etiology, pathophysiology, treatments, and outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weijian Hang
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, and Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, and Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - John M Seubert
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E1, Canada.
| | - Dao Wen Wang
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, and Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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De Luca G, Campochiaro C, Sartorelli S, Peretto G, Dagna L. Therapeutic strategies for virus-negative myocarditis: a comprehensive review. Eur J Intern Med 2020; 77:9-17. [PMID: 32402564 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2020.04.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Virus-negative or autoimmune myocarditis(VNM) is an inflammatory disease affecting the myocardium that may occur as a distinct disease with exclusive cardiac involvement, or in the context of systemic autoimmune or inflammatory disorders. The pathogenesis of VNM involves both innate and acquired immunity and is not completely elucidated: an early immune-mediated pathogenic process lead to subacute and chronic stages and eventually results in tissue remodeling, fibrosis, contractile dysfunction, dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmic burden, accounting for a dismal prognosis. Treatment interventions effectively curbing the acute inflammatory process at an early stage can prevent late cardiac remodeling and improve patient's outcome. The mainstay of treatment of VNM remains symptomatic therapy of heart failure and arrhythmia, while the use of immunosuppressive treatments has long been considered controversial until recently, and strategies effectively targeting the inflammatory and immune-mediated substrate of the disease remain elusive. Only steroids and azathioprine have been tested in clinical trials, and nowadays represent the therapy of choice. A substantial proportion of patients are resistant to first line strategies, suggesting that some critical inflammatory mechanisms are not responsive to conventional immunosuppression with steroids and azathioprine, or experience drug-related adverse events. Thus, second-line targeted therapeutic strategies to treat VNM are eagerly awaited. Recent data on the pathogenic mechanisms underlying myocardial inflammation are paving the way to novel, promising treatment strategies for myocarditis, which could reformulate future treatment strategies for VNM. In this review, we summarize the current therapeutic opportunities, beyond corticosteroids, to treat VNM, including conventional and biologic immunosuppressive drugs and cytokine blocking agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo De Luca
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases (UnIRAR), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60-20132, Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
| | - Corrado Campochiaro
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases (UnIRAR), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60-20132, Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Sartorelli
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases (UnIRAR), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60-20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Peretto
- Department of Cardiac Electrophysiology and Arrhythmology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Dagna
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases (UnIRAR), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60-20132, Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
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Elsanhoury A, Tschöpe C, Van Linthout S. A Toolbox of Potential Immune-Related Therapies for Inflammatory Cardiomyopathy. J Cardiovasc Transl Res 2020; 14:75-87. [PMID: 32440911 PMCID: PMC7892499 DOI: 10.1007/s12265-020-10025-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Myocarditis is a multifactorial disorder, characterized by an inflammatory reaction in the myocardium, predominantly triggered by infectious agents, but also by antigen mimicry or autoimmunity in susceptible individuals. Unless spontaneously resolved, a chronic inflammatory course concludes with cardiac muscle dysfunction portrayed by ventricular dilatation, clinically termed inflammatory cardiomyopathy (Infl-CM). Treatment strategies aim to resolve chronic inflammation and preserve cardiac function. Beside standard heart failure treatments, which only play a supportive role in this condition, systemic immunosuppressants are used to diminish inflammatory cell function at the cost of noxious side effects. To date, the treatment protocols are expert-based without large clinical evidence. This review describes concept and contemporary strategies to alleviate myocardial inflammation and sheds light on potential inflammatory targets in an evidence-based order.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Elsanhoury
- Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow Klinikum (CVK), Föhrerstrasse 15, 13353, Berlin, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carsten Tschöpe
- Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow Klinikum (CVK), Föhrerstrasse 15, 13353, Berlin, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Cardiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow Klinikum (CVK), Berlin, Germany
| | - Sophie Van Linthout
- Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow Klinikum (CVK), Föhrerstrasse 15, 13353, Berlin, Germany. .,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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