Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor-associated aortitis in a woman with advanced breast cancer: a case report and review of the literature

Large Vessel Vasculitis in a Patient Receiving G-CSF: A Possible Differential for Fever of Unknown Origin

Large vessel vasculitis is a known but rare side effect of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) therapy. We report a case of adenocarcinoma lung with pleural infiltration and mediastinal lymphadenopathy, who was treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and pegylated G-CSF. After three cycles, he developed a fever. He underwent F-18 fludeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography computed tomography for fever of unkwnown origin evaluation, which revealed a response to chemotherapy along with the appearance of FDG avid mural thickening in a few large arteries, suggesting a diagnosis of G-CSF-induced large vessel vasculitis.

Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF)-Induced Aortitis: A Case Report

Pegylated granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), commonly used in chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, has been associated with rare instances of aortitis. This study describes a 67-year-old female patient with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2-positive breast cancer, undergoing chemotherapy with an epirubicin/cyclophosphamide (EC) regimen (epirubicin, cyclophosphamide) and pegylated G-CSF for neutropenia prophylaxis. Post-treatment, she developed symptoms including intermittent fever and severe arthralgia. Laboratory tests revealed an elevated white blood cell count, C-reactive protein levels, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, while a computed tomography scan showed thickening in the aortic arch and descending aorta. Given the clinical presentation and exclusion of other potential causes, pegylated G-CSF-induced aortitis was suspected. The patient's symptoms improved significantly following the cessation of pegylated G-CSF, aiding in the differentiation from other types of aortitis. This study highlights the importance of considering pegylated G-CSF as a potential cause of aortitis in patients presenting with unexplained symptoms of fever and inflammation after chemotherapy. The rapid improvement upon discontinuation of the drug is a key feature distinguishing it from other aortitis causes. In conclusion, while rare, aortitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients treated with pegylated G-CSF who exhibit relevant clinical symptoms. Early detection and management, including the discontinuation of the causative agent, are crucial for patient recovery and prognosis.

Aortitis after administration of pegfilgrastim to a healthy donor for peripheral blood stem cell collection

A 45-year-old man who was a sibling donor for allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (allo-PBSCT) was administered 7.2 mg of pegfilgrastim for stem cell collection. Peripheral blood stem cells were collected 4 days after administration of pegfilgrastim (Day 4) and 4.32 × 106 /kg of CD34-positive cells per recipient body weight were obtained. Fever of 38 ℃ or higher and left submandibular pain appeared on Day 6. Ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed wall thickening of the carotid artery and the abdominal aorta. We carefully excluded the possibilities of cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases by thorough examination, and ultimately diagnosed pegfilgrastim-induced aortitis. The patient's fever resolved rapidly after treatment with prednisolone (PSL) 1 mg/kg. We began to taper PSL after eight days. Sixty-one days after starting PSL, we confirmed that abdominal aortic wall thickening had improved by contrast-enhanced CT. We continued to taper off PSL and stopped 141 days later with no relapse thereafter. This is the first case report of pegfilgrastim-induced aortitis in an allo-PBSCT donor. Careful monitoring is warranted when administering pegfilgrastim to donors even without past medical history.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-induced aortitis with temporal arteritis and monoarthritis

We present the case of a patient in his 80s receiving gemcitabine-cisplatin therapy for bladder cancer who developed neutropenia and was treated with filgrastim. In 10 days, the patient developed a mild fever with left jaw claudication and right knee arthritis. Contrast-enhanced CT findings indicated aortitis. Prednisolone was started for granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-induced aortitis, and symptoms and elevated serum inflammatory markers resolved rapidly, allowing early discontinuation of prednisolone. Right knee arthritis relapsed at the initial follow-up. Contrast-enhanced CT revealed aortitis had disappeared. Therefore, recurrence of G-CSF-induced arthritis was suspected; prednisolone was resumed for 29 days without relapse. Most previous reports of G-CSF-induced aortitis have described inflammation of the aorta, carotid arteries and subclavian arteries; however, G-CSF-induced aortitis may present with more peripheral symptoms, such as temporal arteritis and knee arthritis. Furthermore, G-CSF-induced aortitis reportedly responds well and rapidly to prednisolone, although early discontinuation may lead to relapse.

Clinical implications of Golgi protein 73 and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and their related factors in children with bronchopneumonia

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical implications of Golgi glycoprotein 73 (GP73) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in children with bronchopneumonia (BP).

METHODS

Seventy-two children with BP (observation group) and 81 healthy children (control group) consecutively brought to the present study's hospital between June 2019 and October 2020 were enrolled. GP73 and G-CSF levels were determined to analyze their diagnostic value for pediatric BP. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was also measured. The clinical implications of GP73 and G-CSF in pediatric BP complicated with respiratory failure and their connections with the inflammatory response were discussed.

RESULTS

GP73 and G-CSF levels were remarkably higher in the observation group (p < 0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of combined detection (GP73+G-CSF) in predicting pediatric BP were 72.22% and 86.42%, respectively (p < 0.001). GP73 and G-CSF, which are closely related to X-ray classification and complications in the observation group, decreased after treatment and were positively correlated with hs-CRP (p < 0.05), especially in children complicated with respiratory failure. Regression analysis identified the independence of the course of the disease, hs-CRP, X-ray classification, GP73, and G-CSF as influencing factors of respiratory failure in children with BP (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

GP73 and G-CSF, with elevated levels in children with BP, are strongly linked to disease progression and are independent influencing factors of respiratory failure, which may be the key to diagnosing and treating pediatric BP in the future.

Recurrence of Large-Vessel Vasculitis Induced by Multiple Types of Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Preparation in Patient with Large-Cell Neuroendocrine Lung Carcinoma: A Case Report

With the increased use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) preparations, there is concern about the increase in G-CSF-associated large-vessel vasculitis; however, there have been no previous reports of vasculitis caused by multiple types of G-CSF preparations. We experienced a case of drug-induced large-vessel vasculitis caused by two different G-CSF products, which was difficult to diagnose. When treating patients with a history of large-vessel vasculitis caused by pegfilgrastim, we need to pay attention to its recurrence when using other G-CSF preparations.

FDG-PET findings associated with various medical procedures and treatments

[¹⁸F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) is a well-established modality with high sensitivity for the diagnosis and staging of oncologic patients. FDG is taken up by the glucose transporter of the cell membrane and becomes trapped within the cell. In addition to malignant neoplasms, active inflammatory lesions and some kinds of benign tumors also accumulate FDG. Moreover, the degree of uptake into normal organs and tissues depends on various physiological conditions, which is affected by various medical procedures, treatments, and drugs. To avoid misleading interpretations, it is important to recognize possible situations of unexpected abnormal accumulation that mimic tumor lesions. In this review, we present various FDG findings associated with surgical or medical procedures and treatments. Some findings reflect the expected physiological reaction to treatment, and some show inflammation due to prior procedures. Occasionally, FDG-PET visualizes other disorders that are unrelated to the malignancy, which may be associated with the adverse effects of certain drugs that the patient is taking. Careful review of medical records and detailed interviews of patients are thus necessary.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-associated aortitis in a woman with breast cancer: a case report

Background

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is increasingly used to prevent chemotherapy-associated febrile neutropenia. Generally, aortitis is not considered a side effect of G-CSF and is thought to be extremely rare. Aortitis is an inflammation of the aorta and occurs mainly in connective tissue diseases (Takayasu arteritis, giant cell arteritis, etc.) and infectious diseases (bacterial endocarditis, syphilis, etc.). We report herein a rare case of G-CSF associated with aortitis in a woman with breast cancer.

Case presentation

Here, we present a case involving a 63-year-old woman with luminal type stage IIa breast cancer. The patient’s treatment was initiated with docetaxel and cyclophosphamide, with pegfilgrastim (PEG-G) as support. After PEG-G administration on day 3, the patient developed an intermittent fever of up to 39.4 °C on day 10 and visited our outpatient clinic on day 13 with persistent high fever. Laboratory tests revealed a high neutrophil count (14,000/μL) and a high C-reactive protein (CRP) level (42.8 mg/dL) without any other abnormalities. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography scanning revealed soft tissue thickening with weak enhancement around the wall of the thoraco-abdominal aorta, aortic arch and left subclavian artery. The patient did not respond to antimicrobial agents. On the basis of these observations, the patient was diagnosed with PEG-G-induced aortitis, and her condition rapidly improved without corticosteroids.

Conclusions

Clinicians should be aware of aortitis as a potential complication in patients undergoing G-CSF chemotherapy. In cases with persistent high fever after PEG-G administration, and in the absence of infection, aortitis should be suspected.

Pegfilgrastim-induced vasculitis of the subclavian and basilar artery complicated by subarachnoid hemorrhage in a breast cancer patient: a case report and review of the literature

Background

Pegfilgrastim (PEG) is a sustained-duration pegylated form of filgrastim, a granulocyte-colony stimulating factor agent that is widely used as prophylaxis against febrile neutropenia during chemotherapy. We report the case of a breast cancer patient who developed PEG-induced vasculitis complicated by subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and review the relevant literature.

Case presentation

A 48-year-old woman had undergone surgery for breast cancer and was receiving docetaxel and cyclophosphamide as adjuvant chemotherapy (docetaxel 75 mg/m2, cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2); on day 4 of treatment, PEG had been administered. On day 14, she was admitted to hospital with fever, general malaise, and neck pain, and her C-reactive protein level was found to be high (12.65 mg/dL). Although infection was initially suspected, antimicrobial treatment was ineffective and other laboratory test results were negative for this. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography on day 22 showed thickened vessel walls in the left subclavian artery, the origin of the common carotid artery, and the thoracoabdominal aorta. On day 26, magnetic resonance imaging of the head to investigate possible causes of headache showed signs consistent with SAH, and magnetic resonance angiography images showed irregularity in the basilar artery wall; the findings of both studies were considered to be due to PEG-induced vasculitis. Once treatment with prednisolone 40 mg/day had started, the wall thickening and irregularity improved.

Conclusion

Although an uncommon adverse effect, vasculitis affecting vessels of various sizes may be caused by PEG. To the best of our knowledge, this report is the first to describe a case of G-CSF-induced vasculitis complicated by SAH. In cases of persistent high fever and elevated inflammatory response after PEG administration and in the absence of infection, clinicians should consider the possibility of drug-induced vasculitis.

A Rare Case of Large-Vessel Vasculitis following Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy and Pegfilgrastim

Checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) and pegfilgrastim, a long-acting growth factor agent, are vital components of current cancer treatments. Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) such as colitis and pneumonitis are well-established toxicities associated with CPI therapy. However, large-vessel vasculitis secondary to CPI utilization is reported only in rare case reports and case series. Interestingly, large-vessel vasculitis has also been reported as a rare complication of pegfilgrastim use. We present a 59-year-old female with left stage IIA (cT2N0M0) triple-negative breast cancer receiving neoadjuvant decitabine and pembrolizumab prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). NAC included standard-of-care dose dense doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (ddAC) supported with pegfilgrastim use followed by weekly carboplatin and paclitaxel. After receiving her second cycle of ddAC with pegfilgrastim, the patient reported five days of left shoulder and arm pain. Subsequent CT imaging demonstrated wall thickening and inflammatory changes surrounding the left subclavian artery, aortic arch, left carotid artery, proximal innominate arteries, and the mid internal carotid arteries and its branching vessels. These findings were extremely concerning for large-vessel vasculitis. Excluding CPI therapy and pegfilgrastim use, no additional inciting event or medication that the patient was exposed to was noted to be associated with large-vessel vasculitis. We present this case to report on this rare but severe complication from commonly utilized agents in cancer treatment. We also extend the possibility of large-vessel vasculitis development in relation to the COVID-19 vaccine due to shared ingredients found in both the vaccine and pegfilgrastim. It is important to outline the treatment used for such a complication as no standardized treatment has been established for large-vessel vasculitis caused by CPI therapy or pegfilgrastim use.

Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF)-induced aortitis in a patient undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer

Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is used to prevent febrile neutropenia post chemotherapy. Usually well tolerated with minimal side effects but aortitis is an extremely rare side effect previously reported. A 64-year-old woman treated with adjuvant chemotherapy including G-CSF for left breast cancer was admitted with fevers, neutropenia and markedly raised inflammatory markers after 7 days of her first cycle. Initially diagnosed with neutropenic sepsis, she did not respond to broad spectrum antibiotics with subsequent CT imaging revealing marked periaortic inflammatory changes consistent with aortitis and periaortitis. Extensive investigations for other causes of large vessel vasculitis were negative and G-CSF was the only causative factor. She rapidly responded to steroids with almost complete resolution of inflammatory changes on repeat imaging within 4 weeks and no recurrence on tapering of steroids. This diagnosis must be considered in patients presenting with fever and raised inflammatory markers post G-CSF treatment.

Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor-associated aortitis in cancer: A systematic literature review

BACKGROUND

Aortitis following granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) administration has been reported in 0.3-0.47% of cases. To evaluate the characteristics of G-CSF-associated aortitis, we systematically reviewed the literature.

METHODS

We searched PubMed and found 49 cases of G-CSF-associated aortitis and cancer comorbidities and analyzed their characteristics and treatments.

RESULTS

Since 2004, cases of G-CSF-associated aortitis have been increasing, particularly in Asia (75.5%). The mean age was 60.1 years; 79.6% of patients were 50 years and older; and most patients were females (91.8%). All patients underwent chemotherapy (taxane, 51.0%). The most frequent symptom was fever, which occurred within 10 days (61.2%) of G-CSF administration, similar to that in febrile neutropenia. The period to remission was within 14 days in 44.9% of cases. Steroids were administered to 59.2% of patients; however, treatment efficacy was not significant. No patients died.

CONCLUSIONS

High levels of inflammatory cytokines might induce aortitis; however, further studies are warranted.

G-CSF and G-CSF-related vasculitis: a systematic review of the literature and intriguing future research perspectives

Background: There are several case reports suggesting that G-CSFs may, in rare conditions, produce serious side effects, such as vasculitis. Materials & methods: A systematic search was conducted in Medline via PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library to describe this unusual side effect to raise awareness among clinicians for early recognition and treatment. Results: Fifty-seven patients were analyzed. The most prevalent cancer type was breast cancer (47%). Long-acting G-CSF was used in 38 patients (67%). Only 47% of patients were treated with steroids. Conclusion: Although the benefit of G-CSF treatment outweighs the potential damage, oncologists should consider the possibility of triggering a vascular toxicity and try to identify patients at increased risk for this side effect.

Drug-induced aortitis of the subclavian artery caused by pegfilgrastim: a case report

Background

Pegfilgrastim is a modified version of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), with a polyethylene glycol (PEG) that prolongs its half-life in peripheral blood. It is prophylactically administered during chemotherapy to prevent severe febrile neutropenia. G-CSF-related aortitis is a rare side effect but reports of this disease have been increasing in recent years, probably due to PEGylation. Herein, we report a case who developed pegfilgrastim-induced aortitis, localized to the right subclavian artery, during adjuvant chemotherapy. Her condition recovered without the use of steroids.

Case presentation

A 58-year-old woman was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma of the left breast. She had a medical history of contralateral breast cancer and pyelonephritis. Following curative surgery for her left breast cancer, she received adjuvant chemotherapy. Two days after the first course of dose-dense paclitaxel, pegfilgrastim was used as planned. Eight days after the administration of pegfilgrastim, she developed a high fever of 38 °C and visited the emergency outpatient clinic 3 days after. Blood tests revealed an increased inflammatory response, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed a wall thickening of the subclavian artery, suggesting aortitis caused by pegfilgrastim. She was hospitalized on day 15 when CRP increased to 21.5 mg/dL and the high fever continued. Blood and urine culture tests were negative throughout. Pegfilgrastim-induced aortitis was suspected and she was observed without the use of steroids. Seven days later, her fever abated. A contrast-enhanced CT scan on day 26 showed the subclavian artery wall thickening had disappeared. The patient continues to be afebrile and is currently on weekly paclitaxel without use of G-CSF.

Conclusions

The onset of this disease is known to usually occur within 2 weeks after the first pegfilgrastim administration. Aortitis localized to the subclavian artery is relatively rare with the most frequent site being the aortic arch. Clinicians should be aware of the timing and location of onset of this disease.

The incidence and clinical features of PEGylated filgrastim-induced acute aortitis in patients with breast cancer

Although PEGylated filgrastim-induced aortitis is very rare and unknown clinically, some cases were reported and increasing, especially in breast cancer patients. The present study investigated the prevalence, clinical features and treatment of aortitis induced by PEGylated filgrastim in patients with breast cancer. A total of 2068 consecutive patients who underwent neoadjuvant/adjuvant chemotherapy with PEGylated filgrastim for breast cancer were enrolled. From the medical record, clinical, laboratory, medication, and imaging evaluation findings were collected. PEGylated filgrastim-induced aortitis was established in 0.3% of the study population. Common clinical presentations included extremely high fever and chest/back pain with high levels of inflammatory markers without any signs of infection. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography scans revealed typical enhancing wall thickening and periaortic soft tissue infiltration at various levels of aorta. All patients improved rapidly after treatment with modest doses of prednisolone (0.5 mg/kg/day) without any complications. Clinicians should be aware of aortitis as a possible complication of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor therapy, especially PEGylated filgrastim, given the frequent misdiagnoses in neutropenic patients undergoing chemotherapy.