Recurrent Pneumonias Secondary to an Endobronchial Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor

How long should we continue crizotinib in ALK translocation-positive inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors? Long-term complete response with crizotinib and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor is a rare disease which is typically seen in children and young adults. Approximately half of the inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors contain translocations that result in over-expression of anaplastic lymphoma kinase gene. Herein, we present two anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive cases with long-term remission with crizotinib. We do not know how long these therapies need to be continued.

CASE REPORTS

We present two cases of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor treated with anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitor therapies: an 8-year-old Turkish boy and a 21-year-old Caucasian man.

MANAGEMENT AND OUTCOME

Two cases, both with good tumor control under crizotinib, but one who progressed on drug holiday, responded again to the same drug, and had a very short period of response after restarting crizotinib.

CONCLUSION

A molecular-targeted drug (anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitor) was found to be extremely effective as selective therapy for inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor with anaplastic lymphoma kinase translocation. Here, we want to emphasize the continuation of this treatment after achieving a good response until progression or a major side effect.

Pediatric Endobronchial Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) belongs to the group of soft tissue tumor and could occur at any anatomical site from the central nervous system to gastrointestinal tract. The lung and abdomen are commonly affected sites, however, pulmonary IMT is predominantly located within the parenchyma rather than presenting as endobronchial lesion. IMTs may occur in any age group, but they are observed most commonly in children and adolescents. Here, we present a case of IMT arising from the left main stem bronchus in a 10-year-old girl.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the trachea in the pediatric age group: case report and systematic review of the literature

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors are uncommon tumors, which present as solitary masses in the pulmonary parenchyma. Tracheal involvement by these tumors is extremely rare and can be misdiagnosed as asthma. The closest histologic differential diagnoses are IgG4-related sclerosing pseudotumors, which are differentiated by IgG4 positivity. Fifty percent of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors are positive for anaplastic lymphoma kinase gene rearrangements. The treatment modality of choice is surgical resection with therapeutic bronchoscopy reserved for patients presenting with acute airway obstruction or in those unwilling for surgery. New and upcoming treatments include anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors like crizotinib.

An endobronchial inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor in a 10-yr-old child after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation

IMTs belong to the group of soft tissue tumor and could occur at any anatomical site; however, the causes and growth feature remain unclear. This case report documents a 10-yr-old male suffering from slowly developing dyspnea on exertion and cough around seven months post-HCT. He was diagnosed with an endobronchial tumor based on imaging, and histology confirmed ALK-positive submucosal spindle-shaped cells with infiltrative cells, compatible with IMT. We should be aware that IMT is a potential complication of pediatric allogeneic HCT and can cause sudden airway obstruction.