title: Long-term outcomes of allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients after calcineurin inhibitor-induced neurotoxicity.
abstract: Calcineurin inhibitor-induced central nervous system toxicities are uncommon and often resolve after discontinuation of the offending drug. The long-term outcome of these patients is, however, unknown. Resolution of symptoms occurred in 70% of 30 allografted recipients who developed calcineurin inhibitor-induced neurotoxicity. When patients were rechallenged with the same or a different calcineurin inhibitor, symptoms recurred in 41%, leading to permanent discontinuation of the drug. De novo or progressive acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was observed in 54% of patients at a median of 7 d (range 1-70 d) after initial onset of neurotoxicity. The prognosis was grim, with 24 (80%) of these patients dying a median 33 d after the onset of neurotoxicity (range 2-594 d). GVHD and/or infection occurred in 54% and were the most common primary causes of death. We conclude that calcineurin inhibitor-induced neurotoxicity is frequently reversible but associated with a poor prognosis.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001855:Bone Marrow Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
chemical_list: D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D011241:Prednisone; D016559:Tacrolimus; D008727:Methotrexate