Exacerbation of pre-existing interstitial lung disease after oxaliplatin therapy: A report of three cases

Oxaliplatin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Rare but Fatal Reality

Oxaliplatin is a commonly used chemotherapy drug for the treatment of gastrointestinal malignancies, but it can lead to various side effects, including interstitial lung disease (ILD), a rare but potentially fatal condition. ILD is an inflammatory and fibrotic lung disease that can cause progressive lung damage and respiratory failure. The exact mechanism by which oxaliplatin induces ILD is not known, but it is believed to be due to an immune-mediated response, or direct toxicity via oxidative stress. The symptoms of oxaliplatin-induced ILD include cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, and weight loss. Diagnosis of oxaliplatin-induced ILD requires a high index of suspicion, and imaging tests such as chest X-rays and CT scans are used to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment options for oxaliplatin-induced ILD include corticosteroids, oxygen therapy, and early cessation of oxaliplatin therapy. Early detection and prompt management are crucial to improve the prognosis of patients with oxaliplatin-induced ILD.

Diagnosis and treatment of drug-induced interstitial lung disease

Drug-induced interstitial lung disease (DILD) is a group of adverse drug reactions that is rare but fatally toxic. Pulmonary toxicity causes inflammation and subsequent interstitial fibrosis. As novel drugs with a variety of purposes are introduced into the medical field, the number of culprit medications that are suspected to cause lung complications is accordingly increasing. In this review, DILD will be discussed from several aspects such as causality by numerous drugs, check points for a timely diagnosis, alongside some contemporary treatment options. The exact mechanism of DILD has not been elucidated, and a useful clinical, radiological, or pathological confirmation process is still lacking. Common drugs which casue DILD include bleomycin, amiodarone, epidermal growth factor receptor-targeted agents, and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Diagnosis is based on a suspicious drug administration history, somewhat inconsistent clinical symptoms and signs, radiological hints, and histopathological assistance, together with the exclusion of other lung-injuring etiologies. Cessation of the suspected drug, meticulous corticosteroid usage, and ancillary supportive management are the mainstay therapeutic strategy for DILD. Most cases of DILD respond to these countermeasures and reductions, but in some cases the fibrotic process worsens, leading to irreversible sequelae on the affected lung.

OXALIPLATIN INDUCED PULMONARY FIBROSIS: A CASE REPORT

Oxaliplatin is part of the standard chemotherapy regimens for treating colorectal carcinoma. Pulmonary fibrosis is a serious but rare side effect of oxaliplatin treatment, which resulted in patient death in more than half of the reported cases. The precise pathophysiological mechanism of this phenomenon has not been clarified yet. Analysis of the reported cases strongly suggests that early diagnosis and immediate corticosteroid treatment are crucial for better prognosis. Here we report a case of pulmonary fibrosis related to the FOLFOX regimen in a patient with early colorectal carcinoma.

Oxaliplatin-associated sarcoid-like reaction masquerading as recurrent colon cancer

A 54-year-old man with stage IV B metastatic colorectal cancer with liver and peritoneal metastasis was treated with cytoreductive surgery (extended left colectomy, right partial hepatectomy, resection of right diaphragm nodule) and perioperative oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy. The patient was cancer-free for 6 months, at which point a surveillance positron emission tomography-CT scan showed metabolically active hepatosplenic lesions and mediastinal and bilateral hilar lymph nodes. An endobronchial ultrasound bronchoscopy-guided fine needle aspiration of the mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes revealed non-necrotising granulomas. The workup was negative for bacterial, fungal or mycobacterial infection, cancer or autoimmune disease. Carcinoembryonic antigen and COLVERA (a circulating tumour DNA liquid biopsy test for the detection of recurrent colon cancer) tests were negative. Subsequently the rare diagnosis of a sarcoidosis-like reaction from oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy was made. Repeat imaging after 3 months showed resolution of the hepatosplenic lesions and lymphadenopathy, alike.

Pulmonary Fibrosis Secondary to Oxaliplatin Treatment: From Rarity to Reality: A Case Study and Literature Review

Oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy has been widely used to treat colorectal cancer. Here, we report a case of a 71-year-old man, former smoker (40 pack-years), with no history of relevant exposures such as occupational, environmental or drug exposure. The patient developed acute partial respiratory insufficiency concomitant with the eighth cycle of adjuvant chemotherapy with oxaliplatin and capecitabine for stage IIIA colorectal adenocarcinoma. After the exclusion of other causes, namely pulmonary thromboembolism, high-resolution chest computed tomography (CT) showed a usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern. After the discussion at the multidisciplinary meeting on interstitial lung diseases and considering the temporal association between clinical and imaging findings and chemotherapy treatment, along with exclusion of other potential causes, the most likely hypothesis was pulmonary fibrosis secondary to oxaliplatin. A literature review on this scope was also performed. We conclude that pulmonary fibrosis is a rare complication of oxaliplatin, but with the widespread use of oxaliplatin combinations in colorectal cancer, active assessment for interstitial lung disease is recommended.

Drug-Induced Interstitial Pneumonia due to Application of FOLFOX as Adjuvant Chemotherapy after Rectal Cancer Surgery: A Case Report and Literature Review

The regimen of oxaliplatin with 5-fluorouracil plus l-leucovorin (FOLFOX) has become one of the most commonly used first-line chemotherapy for patients with advanced colorectal cancer and it provides an increase in disease-free survival as well as an overall survival benefit. Although FOLFOX chemotherapy has helped to improve the clinical outcomes in these patients, the regimen is associated with some therapeutic issues or uncontrolled side effects. Gastrointestinal, neurosensory, and hematological toxicities have frequently been observed in patients treated with FOLFOX, and consequently, some palliative treatment has been established to combat such complications. However, pulmonary toxicities including drug-induced interstitial pneumonia (DI-IP) is rarely observed in these patients and a curative treatment is yet to be established. DI-IP due to chemotherapy is most commonly observed in patients treated with mitomycin, paclitaxel, docetaxel, or gemcitabine. Steroid therapy is mostly used to treat DI-IP, although the efficacy of such treatments is not supported with adequate evidence. FOLFOX-induced interstitial pneumonia (FIIP) is rarely observed, and several case reports of FIIP treated with steroids have been published previously that showed the mortality is extremely high. Here, we present a 74-year-old woman who received modified FOLFOX6 as adjuvant chemotherapy after rectal cancer surgery. The patient experienced FIIP, which improved after application of steroid pulse (high-dose methylprednisolone at 1,000 mg/day for 3 days) and tapering (starting with prednisolone at 40 mg/day) therapy. Our data suggest that such a steroid therapy could represent an effective treatment option for FIIP.

Cancer Treatment-Related Lung Injury

Lung injury associated with cancer therapeutics is often the limiting factor that trumps otherwise successful cancer therapy. Thoracic radiation as well as cancer pharmacotherapeutics, including conventional chemotherapy, molecular targeted agents, and cancer immunotherapies, have been associated with a unique spectrum of histopathologic injury patterns that may involve the lung parenchyma, pleura, airways, and/or pulmonary vasculature. Injury patterns may be idiosyncratic, unpredictable, and highly variable from one agent class to the next. Variability in lung injury patterns within a specific therapeutic class of drugs also occurs, adding to the conundrum. Drug-induced toxicities to the thoracic cavity are infrequent, and early recognition of clinical clues portends a good outcome in most cases. Failure to recognize early clinical signs, however, may result in irreversible and potentially lethal consequences.

This chapter provides an overview of our current knowledge of thoracic complications associated with cancer pharmacotherapies. The review is not intended to be a treatise of all cancer agents that adversely affect the lungs, but rather a discussion of established risk factors and histopathologic patterns of lung injury associated with broad classes of cancer agents. Optimal management strategies, based on existing clinical experience, will also be discussed. Complications associated with thoracic radiation are also reviewed. It is hoped that these discussions will facilitate early recognition and management of treatment-related thoracic complications and, ultimately, better patient outcomes.

Evaluation of oxaliplatin-induced pulmonary toxicity in rats

Introduction

The mechanism of oxaliplatin (OXA) induced pulmonary toxicity is not fully understood.

Aim of the study

The present study was designed to investigate the pulmonary toxicity of OXA that has been reported in previous studies. Study design: animal experiments.

Material and methods

A total of 40 female Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups. In group 1, 5% glucose was injected intra-peritoneally; then the rats were sacrificed on day 14. OXA was administered in groups 2, 3, 4, and 5; then the animals were sacrificed on day 7 in group 2, day 14 in group 3, day 28 in group 4 and day 48 in group 5. The groups were further categorized as short-term administration and long-term administration groups. Furthermore, tissue glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity was measured in all rats.

Results

The mean GPX activities were 0.66 U/mg in the sham group, 0.74 U/mg in the short-term groups, and 0.74 U/mg in the long-term groups. We found that long-term OXA administration causes pulmonary toxicity resulting in increased intra-alveolar/interstitial macrophages and interstitial pneumonia. Similarly, we found reduced and permanent tissue GPX activity in rats that received OXA in higher doses and for a long term.

Conclusions

Long-term OXA therapy causes toxic changes in the lung tissue.

An imaging-based review of systemic therapies and associated toxicities in metastatic pancreatic cancer as per the 2018 ASCO guidelines: what every radiologist should know

OBJECTIVE

To provide an overview of what radiologists should know about systemic agents utilized in the modern treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer and their associated toxicities.

RESULTS

The clinical landscape of metastatic pancreatic cancer has significantly evolved in recent years, with the advent of new first- and second-line systemic therapies. As these systemic treatment options continue to expand, knowledge of their clinically relevant features is becoming critical for radiologists. While the issues of surgical resectability and tumor response evaluation of advanced stages of pancreatic cancer have been thoroughly discussed in the radiology literature, the diagnostic importance of systemic therapies has tended to be less well appreciated. In this review, we provide a primer for radiologists outlining the radiologically pertinent features of modern systemic therapies used in the treatment of metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. These systemic agents are discussed from the standpoint of the newly updated 2018 ( https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-019-01954-z ) guidelines for the treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Understanding the radiology relevance of these modern therapeutic agents is critical, especially with regard to treatment response and toxicity assessment.

CONCLUSION

Knowledge of the modern systemic therapies utilized in the treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer and their associated toxicity profiles is critical in diagnostic imaging interpretation.

Pre-existing interstitial lung disease as a risk factor for pneumonitis associated with ramucirumab and paclitaxel in patients with gastric cancer: The impact of usual interstitial pneumonia

OBJECTIVE

Combination treatment with ramucirumab and paclitaxel shows significant efficacy in patients with advanced gastric cancer as a second-line standard therapy. However, limited information is available about the development of pneumonitis associated with this treatment in clinical practice. This study aimed to characterize this form of pneumonitis and identify the risk factors for its onset.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 44 patients with gastric cancer who received combination treatment with ramucirumab and paclitaxel from 2016 to 2017. Then, the clinicopathological characteristics of patients who developed treatment-related pneumonitis were evaluated and further compared with those of patients who did not.

RESULTS

Six patients (13.6%) developed pneumonitis within five treatment cycles, and in five cases, remission was observed after cessation of combination treatment alone. The onset of pneumonitis was independently associated with pre-existing interstitial lung disease (ILD) (p = 0.025; odds ratio = 206.4). Patients with pneumonitis showed reduced time to treatment failure (median 56 vs. 138 days; p = 0.008), as compared with those without pneumonitis. Most patients with pre-existing ILD with a usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern developed pneumonitis.

CONCLUSIONS

In clinical practice, pneumonitis associated with the combination treatment of ramucirumab and paclitaxel was generally mild, but common. Patients with gastric cancer with pre-existing ILD, particularly those presenting with a UIP pattern, undergoing this combination treatment, should be carefully monitored for the development of treatment-related pneumonitis.

A case report of acute pulmonary hypertension after hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) poses a widely used and accepted treatment option for patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis of gastrointestinal tumors. In contrast to the well-described risks and complications of intravenous cytostatic drugs, literature offers only scarce information of serious complications following HIPEC. To our knowledge no other description of rapid progressive pulmonary hypertension (PH) and consecutive respiratory failure following HIPEC have been described in current literature.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 48-year-old female suffering from a recurrent appendix-carcinoma developed progressive dyspnea and fatigue six weeks after multivisceral abdominal resection and HIPEC. Medical examinations included laboratory-checks, non-invasive imaging, scintigraphy as well as invasive examinations (left-/right-heart-catheterization) and confirmed PH of unknown origin to be the cause of dyspnea. The patient died nine days after admission of respiratory failure and rapid deterioration as a result of aggravating PH.

CONCLUSION

Rapid progressive respiratory insufficiency due to PH following HIPEC procedure might represent a rare complication, but must be considered because of the high clinical impact. Further studies are necessary to investigate the correlation between HIPEC and PH.

Prognosis and treatment of FOLFOX therapy related interstitial pneumonia: a plea for multimodal immune modulating therapy in the respiratory insufficient patient

BACKGROUND

The FOLFOX regimen, i.e., folinic acid (FOL), fluorouracil (F) and oxaliplatin (OX), is a drug cocktail that is used to treat gastric and colorectal cancers. Despite the concomitant improvements in response rate, duration of response and patient survival, reports of serious toxic pulmonary side effects have progressively emerged.

CASE PRESENTATION

We describe a patient who was treated with FOLFOX as an adjuvant to a rectosigmoidal resection of a rectosigmoidal carcinoma and who developed respiratory insufficiency requiring mechanical ventilation. Computed tomography (CT) imaging and open lung biopsy findings were compatible with interstitial pneumonia (IP). She received multimodal combination treatment (acetylcysteine, corticosteroids, immune globulins and cyclophosphamide) and survived. We performed a systematic literature search and reviewed all 45 reported cases of FOLFOX-related lung toxicity and/or pulmonary fibrosis for their clinical characteristics and their outcomes related to therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that for the 45 cases with available data, the median age was 70 years, and the male-female ratio was 3.5: 1. In the patients exhibiting only mild respiratory symptoms, discontinuation of the culprit drug (oxaliplatin) resulted in a 100% regression of the symptoms. However the prognosis of the respiratory insufficient patient proved to be grim: death occurred in 76.9% of the cases despite conventional treatment with corticosteroids. We therefore urge oncologists and critical care specialists not to limit their interventions to the discontinuation of chemotherapy, artificial ventilation, corticosteroids and glutathione replenishment and to consider the gradual introduction of additional immune-modulating agents whenever life-threatening respiratory symptoms in oxaliplatin-treated patients do not subside; all the more so considering the fact that our analysis showed that every patient who survived intubation and mechanical ventilation experienced a full clinical recovery.

Oxaliplatin-Induced Pulmonary Toxicity in Gastrointestinal Malignancies: Two Case Reports and Review of the Literature

Oxaliplatin is a common chemotherapy drug, used mainly for colon and gastric cancer. Most common side effects are peripheral sensory neuropathy, hematological toxicity, and allergic reactions. A less common side effect is pulmonary toxicity, characterized mainly by interstitial pneumonitis. The incidence of this side effect is unknown, but the toxicity can be fatal. Twenty-six cases of pulmonary toxicity have been described in the literature, seven in the setting of adjuvant treatment. We describe two fatal cases of pulmonary injury related to oxaliplatin and a review of the literature.

Pulmonary Fibrosis Secondary to FOLFOX Chemotherapy: A Case Report

A 54-year-old female presented with a 2-week history of increasing shortness of breath and fever. She had a history of a poorly differentiated sigmoid adenocarcinoma for which she underwent an anterior resection 6 months prior to admission, followed by 12 cycles of adjuvant FOLFOX chemotherapy. The patient was treated for a severe community-acquired pneumonia; however, she remained hypoxic. A chest CT revealed extensive right-sided fibrotic changes, tractional dilatation of the airways and ground glass density, which had developed since a staging CT scan performed 2 months previously. Although her symptoms improved with steroid therapy, repeat imaging revealed that right hydropneumothorax had developed, and this required the insertion of a chest drain. Following its successful removal, the patient continues to improve clinically and radiographically. The rapid onset and nature of these changes is consistent with a drug-induced fibrotic lung disease secondary to FOLFOX chemotherapy. The phenomenon is underreported and yet, it is relatively common: it occurs in approximately 10% of patients who are treated with antineoplastic agents, although information specifically relating to FOLFOX-induced pulmonary toxicity is limited. It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, but is often hard to differentiate from other lung conditions, making the diagnosis a challenge. Pulmonary toxicity is an important complication associated with antineoplastic agents. It should be considered in any patient on a chemotherapeutic regimen who presents with dyspnoea and hypoxia in order to try to reduce the associated morbidity and mortality.

Sarcoidosis associated with oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy for colorectal cancer

Acute lung injury occasionally occurs after chemotherapy, but pulmonary toxicities by oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy have rarely been identified. A 76-year-old female with rectosigmoid colon cancer presented with ongoing dyspnea after the eighth cycle of standard chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil, sodium folinic acid, and oxaliplatin: FOLFOX). Nodular consolidation progressed despite antibiotics and BAL fluid analysis was compatible with the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Corticosteroid therapy rapidly improved the symptoms and radiographic findings. We report this first case of secondary sarcoidosis related to FOLFOX therapy with review of references.

Sudden and rapid progression of lung affectation but stability in kidney function: a case report of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis

We report the case of a patient with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) who exhibited sudden progression of lung infiltration while maintaining stable kidney function. The 69-year-old man was diagnosed with AAV and renal insufficiency 4 years ago. Pulmonic affectation was detected in the right lower lobe of lung by a computed tomography (CT) scan. After beginning cyclophosphamide pulse therapy and sequential therapy with low-dose prednisone, he underwent a 4-year follow-up to detect changes in hemoglobin levels and serum creatinine levels, and had chest CT examinations. The CT scan and creatinine assay showed stable pulmonic fibrosis and kidney function. Although there was no increase of creatinine and detectable perinuclear ANCA, the patient suffered a pulmonary hemorrhage and levels of hemoglobin became progressive lower; the lung infiltration was found to be enlarged compared to the last examination the previous year. After immunosuppressive therapy for one week, the lung fibrosis was progressive, increased pulmonary hemorrhage occurred, and the patient died due to respiratory failure but not end-stage renal failure.

Impact and safety of adjuvant chemotherapy on pulmonary function in early stage non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary function may decline after induction chemotherapy and predict perioperative complications in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The influence of adjuvant chemotherapy is largely indeterminate.

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether adjuvant chemotherapy alters pulmonary function and impacts on treatment-related adverse events.

METHODS

In a trial on adjuvant chemotherapy (the TREAT trial), 132 patients with R0-resected NSCLC were randomised to 4 cycles of cisplatin-vinorelbine (CVb, n = 65) or cisplatin-pemetrexed (CPx, n = 67). Pulmonary function tests (forced expiratory volume in 1 s, FEV1, forced vital capacity, FVC, total lung capacity, TLC, diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide, DLCO, and blood gas analyses, BGA) were analysed before and 30 days after the last chemotherapy, and changes were calculated (Δ = mean differences).

RESULTS

Overall, FVC increased significantly (Δ +290 ml, n = 76; p < 0.0001), while TLC did not change (Δ +220 ml, n = 41; p = 0.174). For CPx, FEV1 increased significantly (Δ +150 ml, n = 47; p = 0.0017), but not for CVb (Δ +30 ml, n = 30). DLCO decreased only for CVb (-8%, n = 6) but not for CPx (-0.39%, n = 17; p = 0.58). BGA did not change (p = 0.99). In a Cox regression analysis, baseline pulmonary function did not influence treatment failure.

CONCLUSIONS

Adjuvant chemotherapy seems not to result in a decrease of pulmonary function parameters. A significant FVC increase was probably due to ongoing postoperative improvement. Decline of DLCO was noted with CVb but not with CPx. Pulmonary function does not impact on treatment failure.

Granulomatous lung disease requiring mechanical ventilation induced by a single application of oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy for colorectal cancer: a case report

Combined chemotherapeutic regimens in conjunction with oxaliplatin are considered safe and effective treatment options in the clinical management of metastatic colorectal cancer. A 62-year-old male patient with a metastatic rectal carcinoma developed a pulmonary reaction after the first application of the combined standard chemotherapy regimen (5-fluorouracil and sodium folinic acid as a 24 h infusion and oxaliplatin). Following the first dose of chemotherapy, the patient developed acute dyspnoea and fever. A computerised scan of the chest revealed bilateral pulmonary patchy consolidation. Despite high-dose empiric antibiotic and antimycotic treatment, no clinical improvement was seen. The patient's condition deteriorated, and he required invasive mechanical ventilation. Diagnostic thoracoscopic wedge resections were performed for further diagnosis. The histological workup revealed distinct granulomatous inflammation, but no microbial pathogens were to be found. Thereupon, a drug-induced reaction to chemotherapy was suspected and high-dose steroid treatment initiated. Subsequently, the patient's respiratory condition improved and he was extubated. The present case exemplifies the rare course of a bilateral pneumonia-like, drug-induced granulomatous reaction following a single application of oxaliplatin. In addition to the known side effects of oxaliplatin-containing combination chemotherapy, unexpected serious adverse events in the form of pulmonary toxicities should also be taken into account.

Oxaliplatin-induced lung injury with allergic reaction

A 79-year-old man was diagnosed as stage IV colon cancer and treated with a modified FOLFOX6 (mFOLFOX6) regimen. On the 12th cycle, we observed erythema and dyspnea. Radiographs showed ground grass opacities. Blood tests showed elevated levels of eosinophils and immunoglobulin E. We diagnosed this finding as response to drug allergy and administered high-dose methylprednisolone. The treatment was successful and he was discharged. The drug lymphocyte stimulating test against oxaliplatin was positive, indicating a type I and IV allergic reaction due to oxaliplatin. Regimens including oxaliplatin must be carefully monitored and frequent blood tests and chest radiographs are needed.

Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia during adjuvant chemotherapy with oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and leucovorin (FOLFOX) for colon cancer

Lung disease associated with FOLFOX (oxaliplatin/5-fluorouracil/leucovorin) chemotherapy is uncommon. We describe a case of cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) occurring in a 78-year-old woman after receiving 2 cycles of modified FOLFOX6 as adjuvant chemotherapy for treatment of resected nonmetastatic colon cancer. This patient presented with respiratory symptoms including cough with scant clear sputum and wheezing on day 10 of the second cycle of mFOLFOX6. Despite therapy with systemic antibiotics and supplemental oxygen, she had a steady and relentless progression of her respiratory symptoms and status, with chest radiographs revealing progressive bilateral pulmonary infiltrates. Further chest radiograph evaluation demonstrated findings consistent with COP. Antibiotics were discontinued and methylprednisolone sodium succinate initiated as the mainstay of management for COP. The patient required a higher dose of methylprednisolone sodium succinate than typical for initial response with doses up to 3 mg/kg per d leading to prompt improvement in her respiratory symptoms and function and declining need for supplemental oxygen therapy. Chest radiographs also showed improvement. The Naranjo adverse drug reaction probability scale indicated a probable relationship (score of 5) between the patient's COP and the FOLFOX chemotherapy. Clinicians should be aware of the potential for this uncommon, yet severe adverse reaction associated with the FOLFOX chemotherapy.

Fatal pneumonitis induced by oxaliplatin: description of three cases

We describe 3 fatal cases of interstitial pneumonitis rapidly evolving to pulmonary fibrosis and death after the administration of oxaliplatin as part of the FOLFOX regimen. Due to the widespread use of oxaliplatin in oncology, clinicians should be aware of the risk and severity of oxalipatin-induced interstitial pneumonia.

Organizing pneumonia associated with oxaliplatin-combined chemotherapy: a case report

OBJECTIVE

To report a case of oxaliplatin-combined chemotherapy-induced interstitial lung disease.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION

A 57-year-old man was referred complaining of dyspnea and fever after treatment with an oxaliplatin-combined chemotherapeutic agent for metastatic colorectal cancer. Fever development and spontaneous subsidence were observed during the chemotherapeutic course repeatedly until the 9th cycle. A computer-tomographic (CT) scan revealed bilateral, peripherally distributed, patchy consolidation suggestive of an interstitial lung disease. As a confirmative step, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical biopsy was attempted; the characteristic intraluminal organizing fibrous plug in the bronchioles and alveoli was seen. Corticosteroid therapy was administered, which rapidly improved the patient's symptoms and chest CT findings.

CONCLUSION

This case showed that oxaliplatin may be implicated in the etiology of interstitial lung disease, since withdrawal of the drug resulted in improvement of interstitial lung disease.

Oxaliplatin-induced Pulmonary Fibrosis: Two Case Reports

Oxaliplatin with infusional 5-fluorouracil plus leucovorin (FOLFOX regimen) is the one of the standard chemotherapy regimens for treating a colorectal carcinoma. The most common side effects include neutropenia, diarrhea, vomiting and peripheral neuropathy, and these are moderate and manageable. However, pulmonary toxicity is rarely reported to be associated with the FOLFOX regimen. Moreover, there is no established guideline for the management of this side effect. Here, along with a literature review, we report two cases of rapidly developing pulmonary fibrosis related to the use of the FOLFOX regimen in patients with colorectal carcinomas.

Fatal diffuse alveolar damage associated with oxaliplatin administration

Oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy regimens are currently a standard of care for the treatment of colorectal cancer in both the adjuvant and metastatic disease settings. Significant improvements in survival have resulted from the use of oxaliplatin-based combinations. This article describes the use of oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy in a patient with stage III colon cancer who developed fatal diffuse alveolar damage during his adjuvant therapy. Other cases of pulmonary toxicity associated with oxaliplatin use are presented and the proposed pathophysiology of this rare occurrence is discussed.

Fatal interstitial pneumonia associated with oxaliplatin-based therapy in a patient with metastatic rectal cancer

Oxaliplatin in combination with 5-fluorouuacil and leucovorin (FOLFOX) is one of the most commonly used first-line chemotherapies for patients with advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer. Pulmonary toxicity, including interstitial pneumonia (IP)/peumonitis, is a very rare complication. We report a case of fatal IP associated with FOLFOX therapy in a patient with metastatic rectal cancer. A 74-year-old man with rectal adenocarcinoma and associated liver metastases underwent palliative surgery and 21 cycles of modified FOLFOX6 therapy. After starting the 22nd therapy cycle, the patient developed a high fever with non-productive cough. Chest X-ray demonstrated diffuse ground-glass opacities in both lungs, and computed tomography showed severe disorder of the bilateral lung architecture. On the basis of a lymphocyte stimulation test (DLST), oxaliplatin-induced IP was diagnosed. Intravenous administration of high-dose methylprednisolone was started, but the symptoms and radiological findings were not improved. The patient died of respiratory failure 16 days after the last administration of oxaliplatin. Although IP is a rare but potentially fatal complication of oxaliplatin-based treatment in colorectal cancer patients, clinicians should pay careful attention to the clinical respiratory symptoms and radiographic findings in colorectal cancer patients receiving FOLFOX therapy.

Clinical features of interstitial lung disease induced by standard chemotherapy (FOLFOX or FOLFIRI) for colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Chemotherapy-induced interstitial lung disease (ILD) in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients is rarely reported, but its clinical features remain to be clarified.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Using a computerized database, we retrospectively identified patients who developed ILD from 734 patients with CRC treated with infusional 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) or infusional 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) from April 2005 to December 2008 at the National Cancer Center Hospital East.

RESULTS

Of 734 patients, 11 patients developed ILD (1.5%) and 4 of those patients died (0.54%). Of the 11 patients, 10 showed pulmonary shadows other than lung metastases before chemotherapy. ILD developed during FOLFOX in six patients, at 137 days after completion of FOLFOX in one patient, during oxaliplatin interruption of FOLFOX in one patient and during FOLFIRI in the remaining three patients. FOLFOX had been administered at some point for all ILD patients, with a median of 10 cycles (range 2-17 cycles) and a median dose of administered oxaliplatin of 850 mg/m(2) (range 170-1445 mg/m(2)).

CONCLUSIONS

ILD following FOLFOX or FOLFIRI is an uncommon but life-threatening complication. Care must be taken regarding the onset of ILD, not only during but also after chemotherapy for CRC.

Oxaliplatin-induced lung fibrosis

Oxaliplatin has been approved for use as an adjuvant treatment in stage III colorectal carcinoma by the US-FDA. The majority of toxicity caused by this drug is manageable. However, rare, isolated cases of pulmonary fibrosis induced by this drug have been reported in literature. We report one such case of rapidly evolving pulmonary fibrosis following treatment with oxaliplatin.

Fatal pneumonitis induced by oxaliplatin

Oxaliplatin has been approved for adjuvant treatment of colorectal cancer. Toxicity induced by oxaliplatin is moderate and manageable, but some isolated cases of severe pulmonary toxicity associated to oxaliplatin have been reported. Two fatal cases of interstitial pneumonitis rapidly evolving to pulmonary fibrosis are reported here.