Frontiers in Oncology (Jun 2021)

Case Report: Paclitaxel-Induced Pneumonitis in Early Breast Cancer: A Single Institution Experience and Review

  • Luke Ardolino,
  • Luke Ardolino,
  • Brandon Lau,
  • Isabella Wilson,
  • Julia Chen,
  • Julia Chen,
  • Linda Borella,
  • Linda Borella,
  • Linda Borella,
  • Emily Stone,
  • Emily Stone,
  • Emily Stone,
  • Elgene Lim,
  • Elgene Lim

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2021.701424
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11

Abstract

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Taxane-based chemotherapy regimens are in widespread use as standard of care treatment for patients with early breast cancer, though rarely its use can be complicated by taxane-induced pneumonitis (TIP). While breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in women worldwide, TIP remains under-described in this setting. Key questions relate to its incidence, diagnosis and management, potential predictive biomarkers, and the balance between this life-threatening toxicity and curatively intended treatment. At a single Australian institution, 6 cases of TIP are identified among 132 patients treated with a paclitaxel-containing regimen for early breast cancer (4.55%, 95% confidence interval 1.69-9.63%). This review first outlines the presentation, management, and outcomes for these cases, then answers these questions and proposes an approach to suspected TIP in patients with breast cancer.

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