Sustained disease-free survival achieved with withdrawal of immunosuppression after rapid relapse of myelodysplastic syndrome following myeloablative allogeneic hematopoietic transplantation: a case report.

Abstract

UNLABELLED:

INTRODUCTION:

Relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with myelodysplasia is a challenging problem with limited treatment options. Attempts to induce a graft-versus-leukemia effect have been used with limited success. In patients with myelodysplasia, sustained complete remissions have generally been limited to patients with long-term remission after transplant and those with low numbers of marrow blasts.

CASE PRESENTATION:

We report the case of a 41-year-old Caucasian woman with relapsed myelodysplastic syndrome and a high blast percentage six months after undergoing an allogeneic transplant who achieved a sustained complete remission after withdrawal of immunosuppression alone.

CONCLUSION:

This case highlights the importance of a reasonable period of observation after withdrawing immunosuppression to induce graft-versus-leukemia, and the potential effectiveness of that approach.

• Authors: Betty K Hamilton, Gregory Vereb, Edward A Copelan
• Journal: Journal of medical case reports (J Med Case Rep) Vol. 7 Pg. 18 (Jan 14 2013) ISSN: 1752-1947 [Print] England
• PMID: 23316877 (Publication Type: Journal Article)