A case of interstitial pneumonia induced by abemaciclib

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Author: YAN Xiujuan ¹ XU Hongyan ² WANG Quan ¹  LI Jinfeng ¹

Affiliation: 1. Department of Pharmacy, Weihai Municipal Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Weihai 264200, Shandong Province, China 2. Breast Medical Center, Weihai Municipal Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Weihai 264200, Shandong Province, China

Keywords: Abemaciclib Interstitial lung disease Breast neoplasms Adverse drug reactions

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Abstract

A 59-year-old female patient with breast cancer received adjuvant radiotherapy after surgery and was treated with abemaciclib combined with exemestane for adjuvant endocrine therapy. After 10 months of treatment, the patient developed symptoms of cough and dyspnea. Chest CT showed bilateral interstitial pneumonia; pulmonary function tests indicated restrictive ventilatory dysfunction and moderately reduced diffusion capacity; krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) 1,195.77 U·mL^-1. Rheumatology and immunology-related examinations were performed to rule out rheumatological and immunological diseases. Considering the patient's medical history, medication history, laboratory tests, radiotherapy location, and chest CT imaging, it was considered that the interstitial pneumonia was caused by abemaciclib. After glucocorticoid treatment for more than 7 months, the patient's symptoms of cough and shortness of breath improved, with alleviation of interstitial pneumonia. The dosage of prednisolone acetate was 10 mg, po, qd, and abemaciclib treatment was not restarted. The Naranjo's Assessment Scale was used to evaluate the association between abemaciclib and interstitial pneumonia, and the result was "probably". This case suggests that when using abemaciclib in clinical practice, the risks and benefits should be fully evaluated, and clinicians should be vigilant for interstitial pneumonia. If respiratory symptoms worsen, an immediate assessment should be conducted to avoid serious consequences.

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References

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