title: Infections associated with purine analogs and monoclonal antibodies.
abstract: Nucleoside analogs and monoclonal antibodies are commonly used to treat lymphoproliferative disorders and have become established as the treatment of choice in chronic lymphocytic leukemia, hairy cell leukemia, and follicular lymphomas, as well as a number of other malignant lymphoid neoplasms. When used in standard doses, these agents have a low incidence of extramedullary side effects resulting in their inclusion in a number of combination regimens. The most important complications associated with these drugs are myelosuppression, immunosuppression and infections. This is further accentuated when they are used in combination with other drugs such as alkylating agents. Several investigators have attempted to delineate the risk factors predicting the risk of infections associated with these agents. Furthermore, risk-based strategies to decrease the incidence of these infectious complications have been proposed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Leukemia, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Box 428, Houston, TX 77030-4095, USA. fravandi@mdanderson.org
authors.forename: Farhad
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ravandi
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: O'Brien
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D011687:Purines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D011687:Purines