Alemtuzumab-induced lung injury in multiple sclerosis: Learning from adversity in three patients

Assunta Bianco*, Pier-Valerio Mari, Anna Rita Larici, Matteo Lucchini, Viviana Nociti, Francesco Antonio Losavio, Chiara De Fino, Giuseppe Cicchetti, Daniele Coraci, Luca Richeldi, Massimiliano Mirabella

*Corresponding author

Research output: Contribution to journalEditorial

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Respiratory alemtuzumab-related adverse events are clinically heterogeneous and include respiratory infections, infusion-related dyspnea, hypoxia and secondary autoimmune disorders. Case report: Here we report three cases of drug-induced lung disease following treatment with alemtuzumab in multiple sclerosis patients. First case was diagnosed as a non-specified intestitial pneumonitis associated with organizing pneumonia with subacute onset, second case was an acute respiratory distress syndrome with onset during second cycle, third case was a diffuse acute alveolar hemorrhage during first cycle infusion. All patients developed acute respiratory failure, reversible after steroid therapy. Conclusions: Clinicians should be aware to early recognize acute and subacute respiratory adverse events for a promptly management. In these patients re-treatment is challenging.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)101450-101453
Number of pages4
JournalMultiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders
Volume37
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020

Keywords

  • Acute respiratory distress syndrome
  • Diffuse alveolar haemorrhage
  • Interstitial pneumonitis
  • Personalized medicine
  • Pulmonary toxicity

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