Statins and Progression of Coronary Atherosclerosis in Melanoma Patients Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (V2)

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are increasingly used in the treatment of patients with melanoma. Emerging evidence has suggested that patients treated with checkpoint inhibitors demonstrate a greater subsequent risk of experiencing cardiovascular events. Small observational reports have demonstrated greater progression of atherosclerosis in patients treated with checkpoint inhibitors, with the suggestion that this may be attenuated in those who are also treated with a statin. In the Statins and prOgression of Coronary atheRosclerosis in melanomA patients Treated with chEckpoint inhibitorS (SOCRATES) study we will conduct a randomised clinical trial in which we will compare the effects of statin therapy or matching placebo on the progression of coronary atherosclerosis using serial computed tomography imaging in melanoma patients treated with an immune checkpoint inhibitor. With increasing clinical outcomes of melanoma patients, the ability to identify cost effective approaches to reducing the subsequent cardiovascular risk in the setting of cancer survivorship will form an important component of comprehensive health service delivery platforms moving forward.