Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in children with acute lymphocytic leukemia: case reports and review of literature.
OBJECTIVE
To report the occurrence of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in children with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), discuss pathogenesis and problems in management.


METHODS
Progressive renal dysfunction developed in two adolescent black girls with high-risk ALL who underwent renal biopsies that were consistent with FSGS. In both patients, no known etiologic factors, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis, sickle cell anemia, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, were evident. FSGS induced by Adriamycin (Pharmacia & Upjohn, Columbus, OH) has been observed experimentally in rats. The patients had received anthracyclines and methotrexate, a known nephrotoxic chemotherapeutic agent.


RESULTS
One patient progressed to chronic renal failure and required prolonged dialysis followed by renal transplantation, though the leukemia remained in remission. The other patient is also in remission and on maintenance treatment for leukemia. She has persistent proteinuria and is currently undergoing a trial of high-dose steroid therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of FSGS with leukemia poses a management challenge to the clinician in terms of further treatment with potentially nephrotoxic drugs, complications of nephrotic syndrome (including infections), and timing of renal transplantation. Future studies should address whether FSGS represents a glomerular response to anthracycline-induced injury in susceptible black persons.
Sathiapalan
R K
RK
Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Louisiana State University Medical Center, Children's Hospital, New Orleans, USA.
Velez
M C
MC
McWhorter
M E
ME
Irwin
K
K
Correa
H
H
Baliga
R
R
Warrier
R P
RP
D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D018943:Anthracyclines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005923:Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D051381:Rats
D018943:Anthracyclines; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D008727:Methotrexate