Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40013153›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in immunology2025

Efficacy of high-dose steroids versus low-dose steroids in the treatment of immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated myocarditis: a case series and systematic review.

Xiuyue Man, Hong Wang, Chen Chen, Xiaofeng Cong, Lemeng Sun, Xueru Sun, Chen Chen, Jing Zhang, Lei Yang

Abstract readSystematic ReviewComparative Study
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in immunology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 11 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
11citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

11 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Role of Troponins in CardioOncology.Current treatment options in oncology · 2026
    Review
  4. Article
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  6. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Xiuyue ManCancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
Hong WangCancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
Chen ChenCancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
Xiaofeng CongCancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
Lemeng SunCancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
Xueru SunCancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
Chen ChenCancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
Jing ZhangCancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
Lei YangCancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated myocarditis (ICI-M) is a rare yet potentially fatal complication of immunotherapy, with no standardized treatment protocol due to limited data. The use of varying steroid doses has resulted in inconsistent outcomes. Methods: We retrospectively identified patients diagnosed with ICI-M at our institution between January 2020 and February 2024. Additionally, we conducted a comprehensive literature review using PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library to facilitate a comparative analysis of clinical responses. The primary aim was to compare clinical outcomes and therapeutic responses between patients treated with high-dose versus low-dose methylprednisolone. Results: Patients receiving an initial high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone (1 g/day) exhibited a more rapid reduction in myocardial injury markers, including troponin I/T (cTnI/T), creatine kinase (CK), and N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), compared to those receiving lower doses. This group also demonstrated lower incidences of biomarker rebound and maintained lower levels over time. Additionally, the clinical treatment process was more straightforward in the high-dose group, with treatment efficacy surpassing that observed in patients who received an initial methylprednisolone (mPSL) dose of less than 1 g/day. Regarding prognosis, the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and cardiovascular mortality was significantly lower in the high-dose group compared to the low-dose group. Conclusions: In patients with immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated myocarditis, the prompt administration of high-dose corticosteroid pulse therapy (1 g/day) is strongly associated with improved clinical outcomes. This intervention rapidly lowers myocardial injury biomarkers (cTnI/T, CK, NT-proBNP) while minimizing the risk of biomarker rebound, thus optimizing clinical management. Notably, it significantly reduces the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), thereby enhancing patient prognosis. The duration of therapy should be tailored based on clinical response. In cases of steroid resistance, combination therapies may provide additional benefit.

Indexed as

Immune Checkpoint InhibitorsMethylprednisoloneMyocarditisAdultAgedBiomarkersFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesTreatment OutcomeBiomarkersImmune Checkpoint InhibitorsMethylprednisolonecorticosteroidsICI-Mimmune checkpoint inhibitor-associated myocarditissteroidstreatment

Identifiers

PMID40013153
PMCPMC11860070

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.