Organizing pneumonia after rituximab therapy: Two cases

Joint Bone Spine. 2008 May;75(3):362-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2007.10.009. Epub 2008 Apr 18.

Abstract

Rituximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody against CD20, very rarely causes lung toxicity. Clinical presentations include lung infiltrates, alveolar hemorrhage, and adult respiratory distress syndrome. Three cases of organizing pneumoinia (formerly called bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia or BOOP) have been reported. In our experience, organizing pneumonia occurred in 2 of 25 patients treated with rituximab, for RA and Castleman's disease, respectively. Because organizing pneumonia may be asymptomatic, as illustrated by one of our cases, we recommend obtaining a chest radiograph routinely before rituximab re-treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antirheumatic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Pneumonia / chemically induced*
  • Pneumonia / drug therapy
  • Rituximab

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Rituximab