Risk factors for interstitial lung disease induced by gemcitabine plus albumin-bound paclitaxel therapy in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients

Background Gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel (GnP) therapy is used for unresectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, but may cause interstitial lung disease (ILD) as a serious side effect. However, the risk factors for ILD in patients receiving GnP therapy are not well established. Here, we retrospectively investigated the incidence of GnP-induced ILD in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients, and the risk factors. Methods We investigated the patients’ background, laboratory data, previous treatment history, concomitant medications, number of doses of GnP, cumulative dosage and administration period, and occurrence of side effects. Results Of the 105 patients included in this study, ILD occurred in 10 (9.5%). Patients with ILD had a significantly higher frequency of concomitant treatment with Kampo medicines, especially goshajinkigan, which is considered to help prevent chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) (odds ratio: 11.5, 95% confidence interval: 2.67–49.38). No significant differences were observed in other clinical characteristics. Notably, the severity of CIPN in patients who used goshajinkigan for prevention was not significantly different from that in patients who did not use goshajinkigan in this study. Conclusions These results suggest that administration of goshajinkigan to patients receiving GnP therapy for prevention of CIPN may need to be reconsidered.