A Rare Case of Late Presentation of Dasatinib-Induced Cardiopulmonary Toxicity

Abstract

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) (imatinib, dasatinib, and nilotinib) are used for the treatment and long-term control of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). TKIs rarely cause systemic side effects with atypical presentations, and these must be borne in mind while prescribing these drugs over a prolonged period. Dasatinib-induced cardiopulmonary toxicity should be suspected in patients presenting with new-onset cardiac or pulmonary symptoms, with features of congestive cardiac failure and pulmonary infiltrates. We report a rare presentation of simultaneous occurrence of pleural effusion, interstitial pneumonitis, pulmonary hypertension, and heart failure in a CML patient on dasatinib for >6 years, which was successfully treated with discontinuation of the drug and oral steroids.