Fatal adenovirus infection during alemtuzumab (anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody) treatment of a patient with fludarabine-refractory B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Alemtuzumab (Campath-1H) is a humanized CD52 monoclonal antibody that targets normal as well as malignant B- and T-lymphocytes. Alemtuzumab has significant antitumor activity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) but also induces immunosuppression. We describe a case of fatal adenovirus infection in a heavily pretreated patient with fludarabine-refractory B-CLL receiving alemtuzumab therapy, drawing attention to the fact that also viruses other than cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex (HSV) need to be considered in B-CLL patients with fever of unknown origin while on alemtuzumab treatment.
Cavalli-Björkman
Nina
N
Department of Hematology and Oncology, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Osby
Eva
E
Lundin
Jeanette
J
Kalin
Mats
M
Osterborg
Anders
A
Gruber
Astrid
A
D000257:Adenoviridae Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D000074323:Alemtuzumab; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014740:Vidarabine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm; D000074323:Alemtuzumab; D014740:Vidarabine; C024352:fludarabine