Emergence of acute interstitial pneumonia following high dose interferon delta treatment in a case of chronic myelogenous leukemia

Abstract

Here we report a 58-year-old man with chronic myelogenous leukemia in the chronic phase, who developed acute respiratory failure following administration of high dose natural interferon delta (6,300 x 10(4) units/week). Radiological and histological findings were consistent with acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP). Although the pathogenesis remains unclear, it is important to watch for the possible development of AIP when employing interferon delta therapy, especially at high doses.