Introduction Therapeutic options for progressive interstitial lung disease (ILD) are limited, as no pharmacological intervention has been shown to improve mortality significantly. Intravenous (IV) pulsed cyclophosphamide and methyl-prednisolone are administered in some centres for rapidly progressive ILD, based on small clinical improvements in patients with ILD secondary to systemic sclerosis. We studied the outcome of patients with ILD who received IV cyclophosphamide and methyl-prednisolone therapy in our centre.

Methods Patients were identified from a database of those receiving cyclophosphamide. We reviewed the case notes of patients receiving IV cyclophosphamide between January 2010 to August 2014, comparing the rate of change in forced vital capacity (FVC) and transfer factor for carbon monoxide (TLco) before and after therapy. Adverse events were also recorded.

Results Records from 53 patients with a mean age of 60 years (range 39 – 81 years) were reviewed; 29 (55%) were male. Diagnosis included Connective Tissue Related-ILD (21), Idiopathic NSIP (12), Chronic Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (8), IPF (6) and Undifferentiated-ILD (6). The median number of cyclophosphamide pulses received was 6 (range 1 to 23). After completion of cyclophosphamide, 41 (77%) patients received follow on immunosuppressive therapy in the form of mycophenolate mofetil (37 patients), azathioprine or rituximab.

The average rate of change of lung function was significantly less after cyclophosphamide therapy both for FVC (Figure 1) p = 0.0004 and TLco p = 0.00015.

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Abstract P30 Figure 1

Showing data plots and average fitted quadratic curve for FVC of patients who received IV Cyclophosphamide therapy. FVC (litres); Time relative to treatment (months)

Whilst on therapy 8 (15%) patients had bone marrow suppression (new onset neutrophil count <2.0 × 10⁹/l and/or platelet count <140 × 10⁹/l), 4 (7%) had elevated liver function tests, 3 (6%) had abnormal renal function, and one was investigated for microscopic haematuria. 32 episodes of infections were documented of which 21 were of respiratory origin. 25 (71%) out of 35 patients who suffered from an adverse event were able to complete therapy.

Conclusion In our single centre, retrospective study, pulsed intravenous cyclophosphamide and methyl-prednisolone was associated with stabilisation of lung function in a mixed cohort of patients with progressive ILD. Adverse events were common but transient and managed with dose reduction and/or delayed schedule.