Withdrawal of interferon-alpha results in prompt resolution of thrombocytopenia and hemolysis but not renal failure in hemolytic uremic syndrome caused by interferon-alpha.

Abstract

This case report describes 2 patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in whom hemolytic uremic syndrome developed while being treated with interferon-alpha and hydroxycarbamide. Hemolytic uremic syndrome was recognized by progressive renal dysfunction, thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and histologic features of thrombotic microangiopathy in the kidney. Although renal dysfunction progressed to dialysis-dependent renal failure in one patient despite treatment with prednisolone and plasmapheresis but not in other, withdrawal of the treatment resulted in a prompt resolution of thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia in both patients.

• Authors: Naro Ohashi, Katsuhiko Yonemura, Takeshi Sugiura, Taisuke Isozaki, Akashi Togawa, Yoshihide Fujigaki, Tatsuo Yamamoto, Akira Hishida
• Journal: American journal of kidney diseases : the official journal of the National Kidney Foundation (Am J Kidney Dis) Vol. 41 Issue 3 Pg. E10 (Mar 2003) ISSN: 1523-6838 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 12613003 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright 2003 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.

Chemical References

• Interferon-alpha
• Methylprednisolone
• Hydroxyurea

Topics

• Adult
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Hemolysis (drug effects)
• Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome (chemically induced, diagnosis)
• Humans
• Hydroxyurea (administration & dosage)
• Interferon-alpha (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Kidney Failure, Chronic (chemically induced, drug therapy)
• Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive (complications, drug therapy)
• Male
• Methylprednisolone (administration & dosage)
• Middle Aged
• Plasma Exchange (methods)
• Pulse Therapy, Drug
• Renal Dialysis (methods)
• Thrombocytopenia (chemically induced)