How is bleomycin toxicity treated?
Although there is no approved standard treatment for Bleomycin induced pulmonary toxicity, some of the most common approaches until date include witholding bleomycin from subsequent chemotherapy, continuing with a non-bleomycin based regimen in relevant patients or corticosteroid treatment.
What is bleomycin toxicity?
Bleomycin is an antineoplastic agent with potential for producing pulmonary toxicity, attributed in part to its free radical-promoting ability. Clinical and research experiences have suggested that the risk of bleomycin-induced pulmonary injury is increased with the administration of oxygen.
How does bleomycin cause pulmonary fibrosis?
The lung injury seen following bleomycin comprises an interstitial oedema with an influx of inflammatory and immune cells. This may lead to the development of pulmonary fibrosis, characterized by enhanced production and deposition of collagen and other matrix components.
How do you administer bleomycin?
Dissolve the contents of a vial of bleomycin in at least 5 mL physiological saline solution and inject over a period of 5-10 minutes. Dissolve bleomycin in 200-1,000 mL physiological saline solution. The infusion can be administered over a few hours to a number of days.
What causes bleomycin toxicity?
The mechanism of bleomycin toxicity is unclear and likely multifactorial. Oxidative damage, release of inflammatory cytokines, a deficiency of the bleomycin hydroxylase enzyme in the lungs and genetic predisposition have been described. 1 The time to onset of BIP can vary significantly.
What type of drug is bleomycin?
Drug Type: Bleomycin is an anti-cancer (“antineoplastic” or “cytotoxic”) chemotherapy drug. Bleomycin is classified as an “antitumor antibiotic.” (For more detail, see “How Bleomycin Works” section below).
Are bleomycin and D5W compatible?
Bleomycin for Injection should not be reconstituted or diluted with D5W or other dextrose containing diluents.
Is bleomycin an irritant?
Clinicians use the term irritant also to refer to drugs that can cause a burning sensation in the vein while being administered: Bendamustine, bleomycin, carboplatin, dexrasoxane, etoposide, teniposide, and topotecan.
How is imatinib used to treat pulmonary fibrosis?
Imatinib inhibited the growth of primary murine lung fibroblasts and the autophosphorylation of PDGFR-β induced by PDGF. Administration of imatinib significantly prevented bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice, partly by reducing the number of mesenchymal cells incorporating bromodeoxyuridine.
Are there any case reports of bleomycin toxicity?
Case reports in the published literature suggest that outcomes are often dismal. 4 – 7 The mechanism of bleomycin toxicity is unclear and likely multifactorial.
How is imatinib used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia?
Imatinib mesylate is a potent and specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor against c-ABL, BCR-ABL, and c-KIT, and has been demonstrated to be highly active in chronic myeloid leukemia and gastrointestinal stromal tumors.
Why is bleomycin induced pneumonitis difficult to treat?
Bleomycin-induced pneumonitis is challenging to manage because it is a difficult condition to diagnose, patients often present late in the disease process and evidence to guide treatment is lacking.