Dasatinib-Induced Chylothorax Beyond 5 Years of Treatment: Is There Actually Any Limit?

Dasatinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor used for treatment of some specific types of leukaemia. The development of pleural effusion is a known adverse effect of dasatinib and chylothorax is exceptional. No case has been reported beyond 5 years of treatment and extensive search for an alternative diagnosis is currently suggested in such scenario. The underlying mechanism is not currently clear. We describe a woman on dasatinib treatment for more than 10 years who developed chylothorax. Drug withdrawal resolved the chylous pleural effusion. We were able to find 14 additional cases of dasatinib-related chylothorax reported up until now. LEARNING POINTS: Dasatinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor used for the treatment of some specific types of leukaemia. Development of pleural effusion is a potential adverse effect, mostly in the first 6 years of treatment. The underlying mechanism is not known. Chylothorax is exceptional, and no case had been described beyond 5 years of treatment; our case would be the first one. We found 14 additional cases of dasatinib-related chylothoraces in a PubMed research.