Development of interstitial pneumonia in a rheumatoid arthritis patient treated with infliximab, an anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha-neutralizing antibody.
Infliximab, an anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha antibody, was introduced to a 66-year-old woman with methotrexate (MTX)-resistant rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although the TNF-blocking therapy was successful, she developed noninfectious interstitial pneumonia (IP) after a second infusion of infliximab. In most cases reported previously, infliximab-associated noninfectious IP occurred after a second or third infusion of infliximab, and this type of IP was more fatal in comparison with cases associated with MTX treatment alone. Keeping a sharp lookout on IP development during this period is crucial to the success of infliximab treatment. After MTX discontinuation and steroid pulse therapy, our patient made a dramatic recovery from IP.
Mori
Shunsuke
S
Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, National Hospital Organization, Kumamoto Saishunso National Hospital, 2659 Suya Kohshi, Kumamoto, 861-1196, Japan. moris@saisyunsou.hosp.go.jp
Imamura
Fumiya
F
Kiyofuji
Chikage
C
Sugimoto
Mineharu
M
D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D013256:Steroids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D013256:Steroids; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab