OBJECTIVE: To report three cases of paclitaxel-induced acute bilateral pneumonitis, as well as to ascertain its incidence and outcome. CASE SUMMARIES: A total of 239 patients with a variety of underlying malignancies received 528 courses of paclitaxel-containing chemotherapy. Paclitaxel 200 mg/m2 was infused over 3 hours with standard premedication. Three patients developed bilateral interstitial infiltrates either during or within 6 hours of the administration of paclitaxel. Symptoms included a nonproductive cough, dyspnea, and sudden arterial oxygen desaturation. Response to parenteral corticosteroids was dramatic and reversed the process in all 3 patients. DISCUSSION: Paclitaxel-induced acute bilateral pneumonitis appears to be a rare adverse reaction. It may either be a direct toxic effect of the chemotherapeutic agent or an adverse effect of its Cremophor EL diluent. Although the exact pathophysiology is unclear, a variety of immune and nonimmune mechanisms have been postulated, including hypersensitivity reactions, release of cytokines from macrophages, and the possible role of prior thoracic irradiation. CONCLUSIONS: Acute bilateral pneumonitis occurs in less than 1% of individuals receiving 3-hour infusions of paclitaxel, and responds dramatically to parenteral corticosteroid therapy.
OBJECTIVE: To report three cases of paclitaxel-induced acute bilateral pneumonitis, as well as to ascertain its incidence and outcome. CASE SUMMARIES: A total of 239 patients with a variety of underlying malignancies received 528 courses of paclitaxel-containing chemotherapy. Paclitaxel 200 mg/m2 was infused over 3 hours with standard premedication. Three patients developed bilateral interstitial infiltrates either during or within 6 hours of the administration of paclitaxel. Symptoms included a nonproductive cough, dyspnea, and sudden arterial oxygen desaturation. Response to parenteral corticosteroids was dramatic and reversed the process in all 3 patients. DISCUSSION: Paclitaxel-induced acute bilateral pneumonitis appears to be a rare adverse reaction. It may either be a direct toxic effect of the chemotherapeutic agent or an adverse effect of its Cremophor EL diluent. Although the exact pathophysiology is unclear, a variety of immune and nonimmune mechanisms have been postulated, including hypersensitivity reactions, release of cytokines from macrophages, and the possible role of prior thoracic irradiation. CONCLUSIONS: Acute bilateral pneumonitis occurs in less than 1% of individuals receiving 3-hour infusions of paclitaxel, and responds dramatically to parenteral corticosteroid therapy.
Authors: I A McNeish; E J Kanfer; R Haynes; C Giles; S J Harland; D Driver; G J S Rustin; E S Newlands; M J Seckl Journal: Br J Cancer Date: 2004-03-22 Impact factor: 7.640
Authors: Richard Castillo; Ngoc Pham; Sobiya Ansari; Dmitriy Meshkov; Sarah Castillo; Min Li; Adenike Olanrewaju; Brian Hobbs; Edward Castillo; Thomas Guerrero Journal: Radiat Oncol Date: 2014-03-13 Impact factor: 3.481