Bortezomib-induced diffuse alveolar hemorrhage in a patient with plasma cell leukemia

Bortezomib, a chemotherapeutic agent used in the treatment of hematologic malignancies, has been associated with multiple forms of lung injury including diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH). We present the first reported case of bortezomib-induced DAH in a patient with plasma cell leukemia. This 59-year-old female developed hemoptysis, severe cough, and diffuse bilateral ground glass opacities on CT scan of the chest after receiving one dose of bortezomib, with DAH subsequently confirmed on bronchoalveolar lavage. Unlike most previously reported cases, she did not develop respiratory failure requiring high dose corticosteroids, and in fact did not require any supplemental oxygen. We also provide a comparative summary of all reports of bortezomib-induced DAH in the literature to date. This case provides additional insight into the spectrum of disease severity observed in DAH secondary to bortezomib therapy.