Treatment of pure red cell aplasia and autoimmune haemolytic anaemia in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia with Campath-1H.
A patient with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) progressive on fludarabine therapy and life-threatening anaemia related to immune haemolysis and pure red cell aplasia was treated with Campath-1H. The patient had sustained complete remission of both CLL and anaemia, but died of recurrent sepsis and cachexia 10 months after completion of the treatment. Campath-1H (alemtuzumab), a humanised anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody, is a potent therapeutic agent against advanced CLL and immune cytopenias. It could be indicated in the treatment of severe immune complications of CLL unresponsive to corticosteroids. Prolonged immunosuppression is a serious side-effect leading to severe infectious complication.
Rodon
Philippe
P
Department of Internal Medicine and Haematology, Centre Hospitalier Général, Blois, France. rodon.philippe@wanadoo.fr
Breton
Philippe
P
Courouble
Gery
G
D000368:Aged; D000074323:Alemtuzumab; D000744:Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002100:Cachexia / Q000209:etiology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D012010:Red-Cell Aplasia, Pure / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D012074:Remission Induction; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000074323:Alemtuzumab