title: Rapid growth of cutaneous neuroendocrine (Merkel cell) carcinoma during treatment of refractory cardiac allograft rejection with OKT3 monoclonal antibody.
abstract: OKT3 monoclonal antibody has proved to be a potent immunosuppressive agent in treating refractory heart allograft rejections. Recently, however, an increased incidence of lymphoproliferative disorders after OKT3 therapy has been found. This short report describes the rapid growth of a cutaneous neuroendocrine (Merkel Cell) carcinoma, a rare tumor of the dermis promoted by OKT3 administration. Because OKT3 therapy seems to be associated with an increased incidence of neoplasms, frequent patient follow-up is essential.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, (Medizinische Klinik, Klinikum Innenstadt), University of Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: H U
authors.initials: HU
authors.lastname: Stempfle
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mudra
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Angermann
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Reichart
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Theisen
mesh_terms: D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000628:therapy*; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016853:Muromonab-CD3 / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D016853:Muromonab-CD3