Valeria Pena-Valentin
Research Mentor(s): Monika Leja
Mentor Department: Internal Medicine – Cardiology
Authors: Valeria Pena-Valentin
Session: Session 5 (2:00pm – 2:50pm)
Presentation Type: Poster 32
Abstract
Immune checkpoint Inhibitor (ICI) treatment is widely used as a form of treatment for multiple cancers. As It gains more popularity within society, the number of uncertainties in diagnosis and treatment increases along with the possibility of toxicities. Myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle that could potentially become fatal, has been identified as a side effect in patients undergoing ICI treatment. Still, there is not enough data to identify risk factors and possible outcomes. Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) is an immune-derived signaling glycoprotein involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. We are studying inflammatory biomarkers (specifically suPAR), which will potentially serve as a risk predictor for patients showcasing these toxicities. Currently, there is minimal knowledge of the treatment of immunotoxicity. Therefore our goal is to reveal whether inflammatory biomarkers will play a significant role in being able to predict and prevent cardiotoxicities along with other types of toxicity in ICI patients.
