Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease in fludarabine-treated B-chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.
Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD) is a rare but serious complication of blood component therapy in patients with haematological malignancies. B-chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL), however, has rarely been associated with TA-GVHD. We report three patients with advanced B-CLL who developed TA-GVHD. All these had been treated with fludarabine. Suppression of T cells by fludarabine may have contributed to an increased susceptibility to TA-GVHD. The use of irradiated blood products to prevent this complication should be considered for patients with advanced B-CLL treated with fludarabine or other purine analogues.
Maung
Z T
ZT
Department of Haematology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Wood
A C
AC
Jackson
G H
GH
Turner
G E
GE
Appleton
A L
AL
Hamilton
P J
PJ
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D014740:Vidarabine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014740:Vidarabine; C024352:fludarabine