Adalimumab-induced interstitial lung disease

Last revised by Henry Knipe on 15 Jun 2023

Adalimumab-induced interstitial lung disease is a form of anti-TNF-induced diffuse interstitial lung disease from the broader category of drug-induced lung disease. The disease occurs as a response to the disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD), adalimumab.

Pathology

The exact mechanism of pulmonary toxicity is unclear with one thought being the inhibition of inflammatory cells by anti-TNF drugs leading to unopposed activity of inflammatory cells resulting in characteristic changes of interstitial pneumonitis. 

The form of lung injury can vary from acute lung injury (ALI) 2 to pulmonary fibrosis 3,4.

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