Drug induced pulmonary fibrosis – Medicine MCQ

Which of the following is responsible for drug induced pulmonary fibrosis?

A. Phenytoin
B. Bleomycin
C. Actinomycin D
D. Cisplatin

Correct answer : B. Bleomycin

Drug induced pulmonary fibrosis – Bleomycin

Bleomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic obtained from Streptomyces verticillus. It is used for the treatment of Hodgkin’s lymphoma, squamous cell carcinomas, and testicular cancer. Bleomycin therapy can result in life-threatening interstitial pulmonary fibrosis. This side effect is seen about 10 percent of patients treated with Bleomycin. There is destruction of Type 1 pneumocytes with hyperplasia of type II pneumocytes.

Other drugs causing pulmonary fibrosis include : Methotrexate, Amiodarone, Busulfan, Sulfasalazine, Carmustine

Recent Research : Sorafenib found to ameliorate bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis –  Cell Death Dis. 2013 Jun 13;4:e665