Etanercept for Non-Infectious Lung Injury Following Bone Marrow Transplantation

Over the last 2 decades, allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) has emerged as an important treatment option for a number of malignant and non-malignant disorders. Unfortunately, pulmonary dysfunction remains a frequent and severe complication of allogeneic BMT. One of the main chemicals felt to cause lung damage is Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF). Etanercept is an experimental drug that attempts to block TNF lung damage. Patients will undergo blood tests, x-rays, and a bronchoscopy with broncho-alveolar lavage prior to treatment with etanercept to check for infection. If no infection is evident after 24 hours, the etanercept will be started and administered twice weekly for 4 weeks by subcutaneous injection. There will be weekly blood tests and bronchoscopy after the last drug dose.