Invasive aspergillosis complicating treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Tajwar Nasir1, Claudia Lee1, Alexandra Sc Lawrence2

  • 1Respiratory Division of Medicine, University College London Medical School, London, UK.

BMJ Case Reports
|February 1, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) may increase susceptibility to pulmonary aspergillosis (PA) in patients lacking traditional risk factors. Withdrawing TKI treatment led to clinical improvement, suggesting a link between TKI use and PA risk.

Area of Science:

  • Pulmonology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Pulmonary aspergillosis (PA) typically affects immunocompromised individuals.
  • Traditional risk factors include neutropenia and high-dose corticosteroid use.

Observation:

  • Three patients developed PA without typical risk factors.
  • All patients were undergoing treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI).

Findings:

  • PA onset correlated with TKI therapy.
  • Discontinuation of TKI resulted in significant clinical improvement.
  • TKI may increase susceptibility to PA independently of neutropenia.

Implications:

  • TKI treatment could be an emerging risk factor for invasive aspergillosis.
  • Early recognition of PA in TKI-treated patients is crucial.
  • This finding may alter management strategies for TKI-associated PA.

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