Interferon-gamma for delayed pulmonary toxicity syndrome resistant to steroids.
Delayed pulmonary toxicity syndrome, characterized by interstitial pneumonia and pulmonary fibrosis, is common following high-dose bischloroethylnitrosourea (BCNU) (carmustine, [1,3-bis (2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea]) containing chemotherapeutic regimens. Depending upon the treatment protocol, it may develop in over 70% of patients. Early and aggressive corticosteroid treatment leads to improvement in the majority of patients. However, up to 8% of affected patients may fail to respond to corticosteroids and develop progressive respiratory failure leading to death. No alternatives to corticosteroids have thus far been shown useful. We report the symptomatic and physiological improvement of a patient with severe steroid-resistant delayed pulmonary toxicity syndrome, following treatment with interferon-gamma.
Suratt
B T
BT
Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver, CO 80262, USA.
Lynch
D A
DA
Cool
C D
CD
Jones
R B
RB
Brown
K K
KK
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000009:adverse effects; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D002330:Carmustine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013577:Syndrome; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D002330:Carmustine