Abstract | BACKGROUND: METHODS: RESULTS: The patients were ages 24, 49, and 36 years, and they had received rIFN-alpha therapy for 37, 67, and 92 months, respectively, prior to the development of the disorder. One patient had discontinued rIFN-alpha 1 month before the event because of presumed rIFN-alpha-related cardiomyopathy. Two patients received hydroxyurea and cytarabine as part of their therapy. No patient was receiving any medication known to be associated with HUS/ TTP. None had a history of diarrheal illness, but Escherichia coli OH157.H7 was grown from the stool of one patient. Two patients responded to plasmapheresis with normalization of counts and other indices, but both developed renal failure and became dependent on dialysis. One patient had evidence of disease progression and died of multiorgan failure. The third patient required dialysis for 18 months but is currently off dialysis; this patient has some residual renal impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Although no definitive association between rIFN-alpha therapy and thrombotic microangiopathies can be concluded from these data, these and other previously reported cases suggest that HUS/ TTP is a rare side effect of rIFN-alpha therapy that should be managed in the standard fashion. Hypotheses regarding the mechanism underlying this association are discussed in this article.
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Authors | F Ravandi-Kashani, J Cortes, M Talpaz, H M Kantarjian |
Journal | Cancer
(Cancer)
Vol. 85
Issue 12
Pg. 2583-8
(Jun 15 1999)
ISSN: 0008-543X [Print] United States |
PMID | 10375106
(Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Adult
- Female
- Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome
(etiology)
- Humans
- Interferon-alpha
(adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive
(therapy)
- Male
- Microcirculation
- Middle Aged
- Renal Insufficiency
(etiology)
- Thrombosis
(etiology)
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