Drug-induced interstitial lung disease in tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy for non-small cell lung cancer: a review on current insight

With recent advances in targeted therapy such as tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), pulmonary toxicity has emerged as a problem. The recognition of common CT findings and patterns of TKI-induced interstitial lung disease (ILD) is mandatory for achieving a timely diagnosis and for the appropriate management of this condition. Therefore, familiarity with this complicating ILD is crucial. We reviewed all published literature in the English language regarding the ILD among NSCLC patients receiving TKIs. The previous reports focused on the incidence, mortality rate, and risk factors of TKI-induced ILDs. This review elaborates on the diverse CT findings and predominant patterns of ILDs associated with TKI therapy. Emphases will be given on the role of CT, in particular, for the diagnosis of the subacute or chronic appearance of ILDs. This review also offers information about the pathogenesis and risk factor for the development of TKI-induced ILD. Representative cases will be presented as a pictorial review. It is important to recognize the various patterns of TKI-induced ILDs, which increase in incidence with the introduction of diverse types of molecularly targeted agents. Poor prognoses are expected when there is a short interval from the initiation of target therapy to the onset of ILD, acute interstitial pneumonia pattern of ILD, and preexisting pulmonary fibrosis.