Pulmonary nodulosis and aseptic granulomatous lung disease occurring in patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving tumor necrosis factor-alpha-blocking agent: a case series.
OBJECTIVE
To describe cases of development of pulmonary nodulosis or aseptic granulomatous lung disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receiving anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) therapy.


METHODS
A call for observation of such cases was sent to members of the French "Club Rhumatismes et Inflammation." The cases had to occur after introduction of TNF-alpha-blocking therapy.


RESULTS
Eleven cases were examined: 6 patients were treated with etanercept, 2 with infliximab, and 3 with adalimumab. Pulmonary nodular lesions were observed after a mean treatment period of 23.3 +/- 15.3 months. Clinical symptoms were observed in 5 cases. Radiographs or computed tomography of the chest showed single or multiple nodular lesions in 10 cases and hilar adenopathies in 1 case. Biopsy of the nodular chest lesions or mediastinal lymphadenopathies were performed in 8 patients, and revealed typical rheumatoid nodules in 4 cases and noncaseating granulomatous lesions in 4 cases. Mycobacterial or opportunistic infections were excluded for all cases. Outcome was favorable for all the patients, with either discontinuation or maintenance of anti-TNF-alpha treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Aseptic pulmonary nodular inflammation corresponding to rheumatoid nodules or noncaseating granulomatous inflammation can occur during anti-TNF-alpha therapy for RA, mainly etanercept. The mechanism explaining such a reaction is not clear but certainly includes different processes. These cases of pulmonary nodular inflammation generally have a benign course and do not systematically require withdrawal of treatment.
Toussirot
Eric
E
Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Jean Minjoz, EA 3186 Agents Pathogènes et Inflammation, IFR 133 University of Franche-Comté, CIC Biotherapy 506, St. Jacques Hospital, Besançon, France. etoussirot@chu-besancon.fr
Berthelot
Jean Marie
JM
Pertuiset
Edouard
E
Bouvard
Béatrice
B
Gaudin
Philippe
P
Wendling
Daniel
D
le Noach
José
J
Lohse
Anne
A
Lecuyer
Emmanuelle
E
Cri
Le
L
D000068879:Adalimumab; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D000068800:Etanercept; D005260:Female; D006099:Granuloma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069285:Infliximab; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab; D000068879:Adalimumab; D000068800:Etanercept