title: Reversible pulmonary toxicity due to lenalidomide.
abstract: Lenalidomide is a derivative of thalidomide and is FDA-approved for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome and, in combination with dexamethasone, for the treatment of relapsed multiple myeloma. Pulmonary toxicity with thalidomide is a recognized potential complication; however, there have only been two case reports in the literature of lenalidomide-associated pulmonary toxicity. In this case, we describe a patient who developed profound dyspnea, decreased exercisetolerance, and new ground-glass opacities with reticulation, consistent with a nonspecific interstitial pneumonia pattern. Clinical suspicion for pulmonary drug toxicity was high and lenalidomide was discontinued. Within 2 weeks of stopping lenalidomide, the patient had significant improvement in dyspnea and interstitial changes on CT were resolving. After 8 weeks, there was complete resolution of symptoms. Lenalidomide-induced pulmonary toxicity is significantly debilitating but, to date, it appears to be reversible with discontinuation of the medication.
authors: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA. coates@ohsu.edu
authors: Stephanie
authors: S
authors: Coates
authors: Alan
authors: A
authors: Barker
authors: Stephen
authors: S
authors: Spurgeon
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D003371:Cough / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D000077269:Lenalidomide; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D013792:Thalidomide; D000077269:Lenalidomide