Imatinib dramatically improved pulmonary hypertension caused by pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy (PTTM) associated with metastatic breast cancer

Abstract

Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy (PTTM) is a rare malignancy-related respiratory complica-tion, showing rapid progression of respiratory dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension (PH). Accumulating evidence suggests that imatinib, a platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, might be effective and improve severe PH in patients with PTTM associated with gastric cancer. However, its efficacy in PTTM with breast cancer is generally believed as very limited. We experienced a rare case of PTTM associated with metastatic breast cancer, a rare case who were treated with imatinib, exhibiting significant improve-ment of respiratory dysfunction and PH.