title: [Successful treatment of heavy-chain disease with etoposide].
abstract: A 79-year-old man with marked hepatosplenomegaly and lymphadenopathy was admitted to the hospital. Analysis of serum protein resulted in the diagnosis of gamma-chain disease (total protein 6.2 g/dl, M-protein positive, IgG 4150 mg/dl, IgG-Fc fragment positive). Specimens obtained by lymph node biopsies showed infiltration of plasmacytoid cells, which were stained with anti-IgG but not with anti-kappa or anti-lambda antibodies. The patient was given combination chemotherapy, but without effect. Then a regimen of long-term administration of low-dose etoposide was begun, and resulted in remission of the lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and abnormal IgG.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology, Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ishikawa
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hirai
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tsutsumi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kumakawa
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Masami
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006362:Heavy Chain Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D005047:Etoposide