Vinorelbine-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome treated with non-invasive ventilation and immunosuppressive therapy

Severe drug-induced lung disease, resistant to steroids, is a dramatic situation due to the absence of therapeutic alternatives. We describe a case of vinorelbine-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome that did not respond to supportive care plus high-dose steroids. Cyclophosphamide pulse therapy was initiated with subsequent clinical and radiological improvement, allowing the patient to be discharged. We suggest that vinorelbine-induced lung toxicity is driven by a primarily immune-mediated mechanism and that it can respond favourably to immunosuppressive therapy.