Dasatinib-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension complicated with scleroderma: a case report

BACKGROUND: Although the BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor dasatinib is a potent treatment for chronic myeloid leukaemia, it is associated with the risk of dasatinib-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (DASA-PAH), for which predisposing factors have yet to be elucidated. However, animal studies have shown that dasatinib exacerbates pulmonary hypertension (PH) in rodent models of PH but not in controls, providing support for a two-hit theory of DASA-PAH pathophysiology. CASE SUMMARY: A 63-year-old man with worsening dyspnoea was diagnosed with severe DASA-PAH and concomitant scleroderma. He was successfully treated with discontinuation of dasatinib and administration of pulmonary vasodilators. DISCUSSION: Our case suggests that scleroderma may be a predisposing factor for the development of DASA-PAH, providing new insight into its pathophysiology.