Immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced myocarditis in lung cancer patients: a case report of sintilimab-induced myocarditis and a review of the literature

: Since its initial approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2014, the indications for the use of the immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients has increased. However, to date, there has no report on immune myocarditis caused by the ICI sintilimab. In addition, there has been no literature review on ICI-induced myocarditis in lung cancer patients. This is a case report of an elderly male patient who presented with a productive cough and progressive dysphagia for 3 days. The symptoms started on day 6 after the third cycle of sintilimab treatment for his lung carcinoma. In accordance with his clinical manifestations of progressive dysphagia, a previous history of lung cancer, abnormal electrocardiograph, significantly increased serum myocardial enzyme levels, and normal coronary angiography results, sintilimab-induced myocarditis was diagnosed. Methylprednisolone (80–40 mg) was used to inhibit the immune injury and the patient was safely discharged on the 13th day following admission. Since ICI-induced myocarditis is rare and fatal, we summarized the characteristics of 20 cases of the disease in lung cancer patients to highlight to oncologists, respiratory experts, and cardiologists the serious side effects of the drug when they encounter lung cancer patients using ICIs. Like most ICIs, sintilimab induces severe immune myocarditis and requires corticosteroids therapy, and this should be recognized by doctors in multiple departments.