Objective To improve the knowledge of lung injury induced by rituximab.
Methods Clinical data of 5 lymphoma patients with lung injury caused by rituximab chemotherapy were analyzed.
Results Five patients received chemotherapy including rituximab, and had fever, cough and dyspnea after 3 to 5 chemotherapy cycles. Chest CT showed bilateral diffuse interstitial infiltrates. All 5 cases experienced hypoxemia or respiratory failure. Clinical symptoms were improved 3 to 5 days after the treatment of glucocorticoids, and pulmonary lesions were significantly alleviated 1 to 2 weeks after the treatment. According to the literature, the incidence rate of lung injury caused by rituximab was 0. 03% to 4. 9%, which has increased recently.
Conclusions With the comprehensive application of rituximab, lung injury caused by this drug is not rare. The good prognosis depends on early diagnosis and treatment by further recognition of the side effect of rituximab.
Citation: LIU Yi,HU Xiaolong,WANG Dong,ZHANG Bo. Rituximab-Induced Lung Injury: Five Cases Report and Literature Review. Chinese Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 2012, 11(3): 262-266. doi: Copy