Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy represents a ground-breaking paradigm in cancer treatment, harnessing the immune system to combat malignancies by targeting checkpoints such as cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1). The use of ICI therapy generates distinctive immune-related adverse events (irAEs) including cardiovascular toxicity, necessitating targeted research efforts. This comprehensive review explores preclinical models dedicated to ICI-mediated cardiovascular complications including myocarditis. Tailored preclinical models of ICI-mediated myocardial toxicities highlight the key role of CD8⁺ T cells, emphasizing the profound impact of immune checkpoints on maintaining cardiac integrity. Cytokines and macrophages were identified as possible driving factors in disease progression, and at the same time, initial data on possible cardiac antigens responsible are emerging. The implications of contributing factors including thoracic radiation, autoimmune disorder, and the presence of cancer itself are increasingly understood. Besides myocarditis, mouse models unveiled an accelerated progression of atherosclerosis, adding another layer for a thorough understanding of the diverse processes involving cardiovascular immune checkpoint signalling. This review aims to discuss current preclinical models of ICI cardiotoxicity and their potential for improving enhanced risk assessment and diagnostics, offering potential targets for innovative cardioprotective strategies. Lessons from ICI therapy can drive novel approaches in cardiovascular research, extending insights to areas such as myocardial infarction and heart failure.

免疫检查点抑制剂 (ICI) 疗法代表了癌症治疗的突破性范例，通过靶向细胞毒性 T 淋巴细胞相关蛋白 4 (CTLA-4) 和程序性细胞死亡蛋白 1 (PD) 等检查点，利用免疫系统对抗恶性肿瘤。 -1）。 ICI 疗法的使用会产生独特的免疫相关不良事件 (irAE)，包括心血管毒性，因此需要开展有针对性的研究工作。这篇综合综述探讨了专门针对 ICI 介导的心血管并发症（包括心肌炎）的临床前模型。 ICI 介导的心肌毒性的定制临床前模型强调了 CD8 ⁺ T 细胞的关键作用，强调了免疫检查点对维持心脏完整性的深远影响。细胞因子和巨噬细胞被确定为疾病进展的可能驱动因素，同时，有关可能的心脏抗原的初步数据正在出现。人们越来越了解胸腔辐射、自身免疫性疾病和癌症本身等影响因素的影响。除了心肌炎之外，小鼠模型还揭示了动脉粥样硬化的加速进展，为全面了解涉及心血管免疫检查点信号传导的不同过程增加了另一层内容。本综述旨在讨论当前 ICI 心脏毒性的临床前模型及其改进增强风险评估和诊断的潜力，为创新心脏保护策略提供潜在目标。 ICI 治疗的经验教训可以推动心血管研究的新方法，将见解扩展到心肌梗死和心力衰竭等领域。