[Hemolytic-uremic syndrome associated with gemcitabine use: report of one case].

Abstract

Gemcitabine is a widely used drug in the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer and other malignancies. It is generally well tolerated and exceptionally its use has been associated with hemolytic-uremic syndrome, causing acute kidney injury, hypertension, chronic renal failure requiring dialysis, and death. We report a 60-year-old man with pancreatic carcinoma and regional lymph node invasion, whom after four months of therapy with gemcitabine and after dose number 11, suddenly developed an acute nephritic syndrome with moderate renal impairment, associated with severe anemia (hemoglobin 6.0 g/dL) and thrombocytopenia (20,000 mm³). Renal biopsy showed the classic findings of thrombotic microangiopathy Gemcitabine was discontinued and renal function and hematological parameters gradually improved.

• Authors: Jorge Vega, Christian Parodi, Gonzalo P Méndez, Helmuth Goecke
• Journal: Revista medica de Chile (Rev Med Chil) Vol. 141 Issue 6 Pg. 797-802 (Jun 2013) ISSN: 0717-6163 [Electronic] Chile
• Vernacular Title: Síndrome hemolítico-urémico asociado al uso de gemcitabina: Caso clínico.
• PMID: 24121585 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
• Deoxycytidine
• Gemcitabine

Topics

• Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Deoxycytidine (adverse effects, analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome (chemically induced)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pancreatic Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Gemcitabine