Pemetrexed-induced pneumonitis: a case report

Clin Lung Cancer. 2009 Sep;10(5):364-6. doi: 10.3816/CLC.2009.n.050.

Abstract

Pemetrexed is a structurally novel antifolate agent approved in combination with cisplatin for the treatment of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma who have unresectable disease and for the therapy of previously treated patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as a single agent or in association with cisplatin as a first-line treatment in patients with nonsquamous histology. Herein, we report a case of pemetrexed-induced pneumonitis. Because pemetrexed is being prescribed with increasing frequency for NSCLC and mesothelioma, we believe that physicians should be aware of this rare but serious complication.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / administration & dosage
  • Aged
  • Anti-Infective Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / physiopathology
  • Ciprofloxacin / administration & dosage
  • Cisplatin / administration & dosage
  • Cisplatin / adverse effects
  • Drug Hypersensitivity / diagnosis*
  • Drug Hypersensitivity / pathology
  • Drug Hypersensitivity / physiopathology
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Dyspnea
  • Erythema
  • Glutamates / administration & dosage
  • Glutamates / adverse effects
  • Guanine / administration & dosage
  • Guanine / adverse effects
  • Guanine / analogs & derivatives
  • Humans
  • Lung / drug effects*
  • Lung / metabolism
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Paclitaxel / administration & dosage
  • Pemetrexed
  • Pneumonia / chemically induced
  • Pneumonia / diagnosis*
  • Pneumonia / pathology
  • Pneumonia / physiopathology
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis
  • Recovery of Function
  • Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / diagnosis
  • Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / drug therapy*
  • Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / pathology
  • Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / physiopathology

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Glutamates
  • Pemetrexed
  • Ciprofloxacin
  • Guanine
  • Paclitaxel
  • Cisplatin