Rapidly progressive colonic dysplasia/neoplasia in a series of treated lung cancer patients: Is paclitaxel involved?
Incidence of second malignancies in patients with advanced lung cancer is not well-studied, in part because of a short survival in this patient population. Apart from a genetic predisposition, various environmental hazards may also be at play in their pathogenesis. Chronic smoking exposure decreases T-cell responsiveness and stimulates production of a variety of inhibitory cytokines. Paclitaxel has been associated with several immunosuppressive effects such as decreased numbers and activity of dendritic cells, NK-cells, and monocytes. We herein describe the first series of lung cancer patients who developed colonic polyps/colon cancer either during or immediately following chemotherapy with paclitaxel, suggesting a possible role of this agent in their pathogenesis.
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Connecticut Medical Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA. antar_preet14@rediff.com
Antarpreet
A
Kaur
Constantin A
CA
Dasanu
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D003111:Colonic Polyps / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D017239:Paclitaxel