title: Infectious complications of pentostatin therapy.
abstract: Managing the infectious complications associated with pentostatin (Nipent), used alone or in combination with other agents in patients with low-grade lymphomas, poses a significant problem for clinicians. Since there is limited experience with these therapies, definitive treatment recommendations concerning prophylaxis cannot be made. The panel members discussed the use of valacyclovir (Valtrex) to provide prophylaxis for herpes zoster, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole for Pneumocystis, and acyclovir (Zovirax) for varicella zoster. They also considered combinations of pentostatin with agents such as interferon, rituximab (Rituxan), and chlorambucil (Leukeran) and their effect on the immune system. The biology of B and T cells was discussed, with an emphasis on clinical application.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, USA.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Vose
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cabanillas
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dang
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Drapkin
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Foss
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000892:Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002699:Chlorambucil / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020804:Encephalitis, Varicella Zoster / Q000188:drug therapy; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000150:complications; D015649:Pentostatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016720:Pneumocystis Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D000069283:Rituximab; D013420:Sulfamethoxazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014295:Trimethoprim / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D014633:Valine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000892:Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D002699:Chlorambucil; D015649:Pentostatin; D000069283:Rituximab; D007372:Interferons; D014295:Trimethoprim; D014633:Valine; D013420:Sulfamethoxazole; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D000212:Acyclovir