Severe everolimus-associated pneumonitis in a renal transplant recipient

Abstract

Inhibitors of mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) are immunosuppressants with less nephrotoxic potential than calcineurin inhibitors and antiproliferative effects, which are advantageous in the case of malignancy. However, a series of adverse events has been reported with the first-generation mTOR inhibitor sirolimus that includes hypersensitivity-like interstitial pneumonitis. To our knowledge, only one case of a pneumonitis associated with everolimus in a heart transplant patient has been reported, and it was related to elevated trough blood levels. We report herein the first case of a kidney graft recipient who developed everolimus-associated pneumonitis with normal trough blood levels that was completely reversed after drug withdrawal.