Severe pulmonary toxicity associated with fludarabine and possible contribution of rituximab

Abstract

Fludarabine is a nucleoside analogue used in the treatment of low-grade lymphoproliferative disorders and in conditioning regimens of non-myeloablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation. This is a relatively safe drug for clinical use but may cause side effects, some of which may be life-threatening. Here a case of severe pulmonary toxicity associated with fludarabine and a possible contribution of rituximab is presented and the literature reviewed.