Bleomycin is notably associated with toxicity to which organ system?

Bleomycin is notably associated with toxicity to which organ system?

• A. Renal
• B. Lungs
• C. Liver
• D. Heart

Answer: (B)

Bleomycin has a distinctive risk of pulmonary toxicity. The lungs are particularly susceptible because bleomycin hydrolase, the enzyme that inactivates bleomycin, is present at relatively low levels in lung tissue (and skin). This means the drug can accumulate there and cause injury, leading to dose-dependent interstitial pneumonitis and, over time, pulmonary fibrosis. Risk increases with higher cumulative doses, older age, prior chest radiation, and exposure to oxygen during treatment. While bleomycin can affect other organs, its most notable and characteristic toxicity is to the lungs.

Bleomycin has a distinctive risk of pulmonary toxicity. The lungs are particularly susceptible because bleomycin hydrolase, the enzyme that inactivates bleomycin, is present at relatively low levels in lung tissue (and skin). This means the drug can accumulate there and cause injury, leading to dose-dependent interstitial pneumonitis and, over time, pulmonary fibrosis. Risk increases with higher cumulative doses, older age, prior chest radiation, and exposure to oxygen during treatment. While bleomycin can affect other organs, its most notable and characteristic toxicity is to the lungs.