Alemtuzumab in Sézary syndrome: efficient but not innocent.

Abstract

Mycosis fungoides is the most common form of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas. The related Sézary syndrome is a more aggressive form in which the skin is diffusely affected and the peripheral blood is involved. Although easily managed during its early phases, late-stage mycosis fungoides/Sézary syndrome is usually difficult to treat and becomes refractory to chemotherapy. Recently, promising case-based results have been obtained with alemtuzumab, a humanized immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody that binds to CD52 cell surface antigens, in the treatment of advanced stage mycosis fungoides/Sézary syndrome. We report a case of Sézary syndrome treated successfully with alemtuzumab but who died of treatment-related infection.

• Authors: Umit Barbaros Ure, Muhlis Cem Ar, Ayse Salihoglu, Sebnem Izmir Guner, Ahmet Baran, Oya Oguz, Burhan Ferhanoglu
• Journal: European journal of dermatology : EJD (Eur J Dermatol) 2007 Nov-Dec Vol. 17 Issue 6 Pg. 525-9 ISSN: 1167-1122 [Print] France
• PMID: 17951134 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• Antibodies, Neoplasm
• Antigens, CD
• Antigens, Neoplasm
• Antineoplastic Agents
• CD52 Antigen
• CD52 protein, human
• DNA, Viral
• Glycoproteins
• Alemtuzumab

Topics

• Alemtuzumab
• Antibodies, Monoclonal (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• Antibodies, Neoplasm (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Antigens, CD
• Antigens, Neoplasm
• Antineoplastic Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• CD52 Antigen
• Cytomegalovirus (genetics, isolation & purification)
• Cytomegalovirus Infections (chemically induced)
• DNA, Viral (analysis)
• Fatal Outcome
• Glycoproteins (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Humans
• Lymphopenia (chemically induced)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Opportunistic Infections (chemically induced)
• Sezary Syndrome (drug therapy, pathology)
• Skin (pathology)