Delayed reduction in left ventricular function following treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with chemotherapy and rituximab, unrelated to acute infusion reaction.
We report 3 cases of reduced cardiac function with complications in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients who were treated with rituximab. Patients experienced reduced cardiac functions after the administration of rituximab; there was no evidence of any preceding infusion reactions. Reticulin fiber was observed diffusely in cardiac muscles. Transforming growth factor-beta levels were elevated after the administration of rituximab. We believe that continuous elevation of transforming growth factor-beta may promote the growth of reticulin fiber in cardiac muscles. Reduction in cardiac functions is a severe complication that must be considered when rituximab is administered.
Department of Internal Medicine, Hakodate Municipal Hospital, Hakodate, Japan.
Hiroe
H
Kanamori
Yutaka
Y
Tsutsumi
Akio
A
Mori
Takahito
T
Kawamura
Shinji
S
Obara
Norihiko
N
Shimoyama
Junji
J
Tanaka
Masahiro
M
Asaka
Masahiro
M
Imamura
Nobuo
N
Masauzi
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012155:Reticulin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000069283:Rituximab; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D012155:Reticulin; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D000069283:Rituximab