Successful antemortem diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy

Intern Med. 2014;53(22):2595-9. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.53.2379. Epub 2014 Nov 15.

Abstract

Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy (PTTM) is a fatal cancer-related complication with rapid progression. Although the underlying molecular mechanisms of PTTM remain unclear, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) may play important roles in the pathogenesis of PTTM. We herein report a case of PTTM that was diagnosed antemortem by pathology using pulmonary wedge aspiration. The patient was treated with a combination therapy of imatinib (PDGF receptor antagonist), bevacizumab (VEGF receptor inhibitor), S-1, and cisplatin. These findings suggest that molecular-target drugs are effective for the treatment of PTTM.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Autopsy
  • Bevacizumab
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Thrombotic Microangiopathies / diagnosis*
  • Thrombotic Microangiopathies / drug therapy
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Bevacizumab