Lenalidomide-induced eosinophilic pneumonia

Eosinophilia During Lenalidomide Therapy in Myelodysplastic Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Lenalidomide is an immunomodulatory therapy used to treat multiple hematologic malignancies. The incidence of eosinophilia and hypereosinophilia during lenalidomide therapy, and the requirement for high-dose steroids are not well-defined PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 44 patients with myelodysplastic syndromes who were treated with lenalidomide therapy from August 2006 and March 2023.

RESULTS

Eosinophilia (0.5-1.5 × 109/L) and hypereosinophilia (>1.5 × 109/L) were observed in 6 patients (14%) and 4 patients (9%), respectively. The median duration of lenalidomide therapy was 6.5 months. Backward multivariate ordinary logistic regression identified higher absolute eosinophil count (OR, 4759.986; 95% CI, 11.223-2018772.073; P = .006) and longer duration of lenalidomide therapy (OR, 1.148; 95% CI, 1.012-1.302; P = .032) as independent prognostic factors for the incidence of eosinophilia and hypereosinophilia. There was a trend for a higher use of high-dose steroids with hypereosinophilia. The median time to develop the first occurrence hypereosinophilia was 0.5 months. Steroids were used in 40% of patients with eosinophilia or hypereosinophilia. All events resolved with discontinuation of lenalidomide and/or use of steroids. No long-tern lasting adverse effects were recorded.

CONCLUSION

Lenalidomide may induce or worsen existing eosinophilia which may lead to the need for steroids within a month of therapy.

Lenalidomide induced pneumonitis

INTRODUCTION

Iatrogenic lung injury is a very rare, albeit serious complication with antineoplastic therapy, including immunomodulatory drugs. Pneumonitis typically presents clinically with symptoms such as cough, dyspnea, fever, and hypoxemia. Radiographic evaluation often demonstrates diffuse, patchy infiltrates and ground-glass opacities.

CASE REPORT

We present a case in which therapy from an immunomodulatory drug, lenalidomide, elicited a pneumonitis in the form of a 9 cm lung mass. An exhaustive workup was completed to rule out viral, bacterial, and fungal infections as well as malignant causes. Lenalidomide-induced lung injury was suspected.

MANAGEMENT AND OUTCOME

Lenalidomide was discontinued and corticosteroid therapy was initiated. This resulted in a complete clinical and radiographic resolution of symptoms.

DISCUSSION

Several case reports of pneumonitis have been associated with immunomodulatory drug therapy, and while most of these exhibit diffuse ground-glass opacities radiographically, our patient presented with a 9 cm lung mass. Our findings stress the importance of a thorough medication review while ruling out other potential causes of lung injury.

A Review of Interstitial Pneumonitis Caused by Elotuzumab Through Case Discussions and Academic Writings

Patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma have undergone two or three previous therapies are now being treated with a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody elotuzumab (HuLuc63) that targets F7 signalling lymphocytic activation molecule F7 (SLAMF7)- a signalling lymphocytic activation molecule. It is combined with dexamethasone and lenalidomide/pomalidomide for therapy. Adverse effects associated with elotuzumab consists of peripheral neuropathy, fever, constitutional symptoms (fatigue, headache, decreased appetite), and infections. A rare side effect of interstitial lung disease has only been observed in a single case. There are two case studies presented below of hypoxic respiratory failure upon this monoclonal antibody treatment both were successfully treated with steroid therapy. This article brings forth the hypothesis that elotuzumab can cause pneumonitis, and discontinuation of elotuzumab along with high-dose corticosteroids helps reverse the pneumonitis.

Elotuzumab-induced interstitial lung disease: the first case report

Elotuzumab, a humanized immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody targeted against signaling lymphocytic activation molecule F7 (SLAMF7), has recently been used in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. The clinical characteristics of drug-induced interstitial lung disease (ILD) due to elotuzumab have not been clarified. In this report, we describe a patient with refractory multiple myeloma who received elotuzumab in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone in whom fatigue, fever and diffuse pulmonary infiltration developed. The patient had a history of long-term therapy with lenalidomide without pulmonary toxicity. Bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage was negative for infection, and transbronchial lung biopsies showed active alveolitis with lymphocytic infiltration and myxomatous change of the thick alveolar wall. After the discontinuation of elotuzumab and lenalidomide, the patient's clinical symptoms gradually improved, and spontaneous remission of the pulmonary infiltration was observed. Based on the chest CT and lung pathology findings, the exclusion of infection and pulmonary edema, and according to the clinical course, we established a diagnosis of drug-induced ILD due to elotuzumab. Clinicians should bear in mind the potential for pulmonary toxicity in patients receiving elotuzumab-containing therapy.

Lenalidomide-induced eosinophilic pneumonia

Multiple myeloma is a plasma cell dyscrasia accounting for 10% of haematologic malignancies. Lenalidomide is an immunomodulatory drug analogous to thalidomide that is approved for use in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome, and in combination with dexamethasone for refractory or relapsed multiple myeloma. Lenalidomide is preferred to thalidomide because of reduced toxicity, and pulmonary side effects are considered rare. We present, to our knowledge, an unusual and first reported case of a patient with relapsed multiple myeloma who received lenalidomide after autologous stem cell transplant, then developed eosinophilic pneumonia presenting as dyspnoea, peripheral eosinophilia, and bilateral pulmonary opacities. Bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage was negative for infection, and transbronchial lung biopsies showed eosinophilic pneumonia. After discontinuation of lenalidomide and initiation of prednisone therapy, his dyspnoea improved and eosinophilia resolved; however, symptoms recurred when the drug was restarted at a lower dose, confirming its causative role. In the absence of infection, clinicians should always bear in mind drug toxicity in the differential diagnosis of patients receiving lenalidomide and related agents.