Gemcitabine-related thrombotic microangiopathy: a single-centre retrospective series.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) has been reported as a complication of chemotherapy. Many antineoplastic agents have been linked to TMA, gemcitabine being one of the most frequently cited as related to this syndrome.

METHODS:

A retrospective search for chemotherapy-induced TMA cases among gemcitabine users in a single oncology centre from January 2009 to September 2012 was performed.

RESULTS:

Three cases of gemcitabine-induced TMA were reported, from a total of 264 patients (incidence: 1·13%) who received the drug. From the three cases reported, two (66%) patients died as a consequence of the syndrome.

DISCUSSION:

These findings are compatible with previous analyses, which report an incidence of gemcitabine-associated TMA ranging from 0·008 to 2·2% and mortality rates from 15 to 90%. Unlike previously reported, however, cumulative dose was not predictive of risk.

CONCLUSION:

Gemcitabine-induced TMA is an underdiagnosed condition characterized by high mortality rates. Attention should be called for a higher level of awareness to provide early diagnosis and proper treatment.

• Authors: Frederico Leal, Ligia T Macedo, José Barreto C Carvalheira
• Journal: Journal of chemotherapy (Florence, Italy) (J Chemother) Vol. 26 Issue 3 Pg. 169-72 (Jun 2014) ISSN: 1973-9478 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 24091354 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
• Deoxycytidine
• Gemcitabine

Topics

• Adult
• Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic (adverse effects)
• Deoxycytidine (adverse effects, analogs & derivatives)
• Humans
• Incidence
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Retrospective Studies
• Thrombotic Microangiopathies (chemically induced, epidemiology)
• Gemcitabine