title: Adverse cardiac events to monoclonal antibodies used for cancer therapy: The risk of Kounis syndrome.
abstract: Monoclonal antibodies are currently used in the treatment of neoplastic, hematological, or inflammatory diseases, a practice that is occasionally associated with a variety of systemic and cutaneous adverse events. Cardiac adverse events include cardiomyopathy, ventricular dysfunction, arrhythmias, arrests, and acute coronary syndromes, such as acute myocardial infarction and vasospastic angina pectoris. These events generally follow hypersensitivity reactions including cutaneous erythema, pruritus chills, and precordial pain. Recently, IgE specific for therapeutic monoclonal antibodies have been detected, pointing to the existence of hypersensitivity and Kounis hypersensitivity-associated syndrome. Therefore, the careful monitoring of cardiovascular events is of paramount importance in the course of monoclonal antibody-based therapies. Moreover, further studies are needed to elucidate the pathophysiology of cardiovascular adverse events elicited by monoclonal antibodies and to identify preventive, protective, and therapeutic measures.
authors.affiliation: Medical Sciences; Patras Highest Institute of Education and Technology; Patras, Greece.
authors.forename: Nicholas G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Kounis
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology; "Saint Andrews State General Hospital"; Patras, Greece.
authors.forename: George D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Soufras
authors.affiliation: Departments of Cardiology; University of Patras Medical School; Patras, Greece.
authors.forename: Grigorios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tsigkas
authors.affiliation: Departments of Cardiology; University of Patras Medical School; Patras, Greece.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hahalis
keywords: Kounis syndrome; cancer therapy; cardiac hypersensitivity; cardiac toxicity; monoclonal antibodies