Living with ICI-Heart Complications
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the Lived Experience of Patients with Cardiac Complications from Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Qualitative Study
IRAS ID
364146
Contact name
Muhummad Sohaib Nazir
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospitals, Part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Unknown , Unknown
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
This study aims to better understand the experiences of people who develop heart problems after receiving a type of cancer treatment called immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).
ICIs are medicines that help the body’s immune system to recognise and fight different types of cancer, including lung cancer, skin cancer, and kidney cancer. For many patients, they have transformed cancer care and significantly improved survival. However, in a small number of people, these treatments can also affect the heart. This can lead to inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis), problems with heart rhythm, or heart failure.
While there is growing research on how to diagnose and treat these complications, very little is known about what it is like for patients to live through them. Coping with both cancer and a serious heart condition can cause emotional distress, disrupt daily life, and even interrupt cancer treatment.
This qualitative study will involve interviews with people who have experienced ICI-related cardiac complications. Through their stories, the research team hopes to gain new insights into the emotional, practical, and care-related challenges they face. The findings will help healthcare professionals improve communication, tailor support, and design more person-centred care pathways.
Patient and public involvement (PPI) has already played an important role in shaping this study. Feedback from a cardiovascular patient advisory group has helped refine the interview questions and highlighted areas of patient experience that are most important to explore. They have also reviewed the Participant Information Sheet and the poster.By placing patient voices at the centre, this study aims to improve support and care for people living with the dual challenges of cancer and treatment-related heart disease.
REC name
South East Scotland REC 01
REC reference
25/SS/0117
Date of REC Opinion
22 Dec 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion