Pulmonary toxicity associated with pomalidomide

Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2018 Nov 1;22(11):1383-1386. doi: 10.5588/ijtld.18.0244.

Abstract

Pomalidomide, previously used to treat multiple myeloma, has been reported to cause acute pulmonary toxicity that improves with drug discontinuation. We present a case of delayed pneumonitis with persistent fibrosis associated with pomalidomide. A 61-year-old male treated with pomalidomide and corticosteroids presented with acute on chronic dyspnea, profound hypoxemia, and ground glass opacities on computerized tomographic imaging. Corticosteroid taper and discontinuation of pomalidomide resulted in clinical improvement, but with substantial residual pulmonary fibrosis. Given the temporal improvement, but not resolution, following discontinuation of an agent with an established propensity for lung injury, we attribute this presentation to pomalidomide toxicity.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Lung / drug effects*
  • Lung / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Myeloma / drug therapy*
  • Pneumonia / chemically induced*
  • Pneumonia / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis / chemically induced*
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Thalidomide / adverse effects
  • Thalidomide / analogs & derivatives*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Thalidomide
  • pomalidomide