Treatment of pure red cell aplasia and autoimmune haemolytic anaemia in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia with Campath-1H.

Abstract

A patient with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) progressive on fludarabine therapy and life-threatening anaemia related to immune haemolysis and pure red cell aplasia was treated with Campath-1H. The patient had sustained complete remission of both CLL and anaemia, but died of recurrent sepsis and cachexia 10 months after completion of the treatment. Campath-1H (alemtuzumab), a humanised anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody, is a potent therapeutic agent against advanced CLL and immune cytopenias. It could be indicated in the treatment of severe immune complications of CLL unresponsive to corticosteroids. Prolonged immunosuppression is a serious side-effect leading to severe infectious complication.

• Authors: Philippe Rodon, Philippe Breton, Gery Courouble
• Journal: European journal of haematology (Eur J Haematol) Vol. 70 Issue 5 Pg. 319-21 (May 2003) ISSN: 0902-4441 [Print] England
• PMID: 12694169 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• Antibodies, Neoplasm
• Immunosuppressive Agents
• Alemtuzumab

Topics

• Aged
• Alemtuzumab
• Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune (etiology, therapy)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• Antibodies, Neoplasm (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Cachexia (etiology)
• Fatal Outcome
• Humans
• Immunosuppressive Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell (complications, therapy)
• Male
• Recurrence
• Red-Cell Aplasia, Pure (etiology, therapy)
• Remission Induction
• Sepsis (etiology)