Variant Hypersensitivity Reaction (HSR) Presented with Persistent Dry Cough after Receiving Oxaliplatin in a Pancreatic Cancer Patient

Abstract

Oxaliplatin, a third generation of platinum-based anti-neoplastic agent has been approved for colorectal cancer in both adjuvant and metastatic settings. In addition, oxaliplatin is also indicated for other gastrointestinal malignancies such as metastatic pancreatic cancer in combination with gemcitabine. Its common toxicities include infusional hypersensitivity reaction (HSR), GI symptoms with anorexia/nausea/vomiting, sensory neuropathy and bone marrow suppression.
We report a case with persistent dry cough as a variant HSR to oxaliplatin. The patient is a 75-year-old gentleman with gemcitabine refractory metastatic pancreatic cancer who received oxaliplatin and mitomycin C for palliation. He developed sudden onset dry cough without infectious etiology during the 4th infusion of oxaliplatin. Robitussin with codeine and antibiotics did not offer any relief and the cough terminated after cessation of oxaliplatin for two weeks. We believe this to be the first case in the literature with cough as a sole manifestation of HSR to oxaliplatin.