Chlorambucil-associated pneumonitis

Chest. 1994 Feb;105(2):634-6. doi: 10.1378/chest.105.2.634.

Abstract

A patient developed an interstitial pneumonitis while receiving chlorambucil for a chronic lymphocytic leukemia (cumulative dose, 8,340 mg). Withdrawal of drug treatment was followed by rapid improvement in the clinical condition. Bronchoalveolar lavage showed a T-lymphocytic alveolitis, whereas blood lymphocytes were predominantly of the B phenotype. The T-lymphocytic alveolitis persisted 6 weeks after drug therapy cessation with a predominant CD8+ phenotype, as observed in some hypersensitivity pneumonitis induced by drugs.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic / chemically induced*
  • Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic / pathology
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / cytology
  • Chlorambucil / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / drug therapy
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / chemically induced*
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / pathology
  • Lymphocytosis / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • T-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / pathology

Substances

  • Chlorambucil