Case Report

Thalidomide-induced Organizing Pneumonia

Authors: Ashley A. Feaver, DO, CPT, MC, USA, David E. McCune, MD, LTC, MC, USA, Angela G. Mysliwiec, MD, MAJ, MC, USA, Vincent Mysliwiec, MD, MAJ, MC, USA

Abstract

Twenty medications are associated with drug-induced organizing pneumonia; however, thalidomide is not listed as a potential causative agent. Thalidomide (Thalomid, Celgene Corp., Summit, NJ), an angiogenesis inhibitor and immunomodulator that reduces tumor necrosis factor-alpha, is used for the treatment of multiple myeloma. We report a case of organizing pneumonia in a 58-year-old male with multiple myeloma treated with dexamethasone and thalidomide.


Key Points


* Thalidomide is increasingly used in the treatment of multiple myeloma.


* Known pulmonary toxicities of thalidomide include pneumonia and venous thromboembolism; evaluation for intersitial lung disease should be included in the assessment of patients with respiratory symptoms.


* Thalidomide should be added to the list of medications that can cause interstitial lung disease.

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