title: Thrombotic microangiopathy associated with alpha-interferon therapy for chronic myeloid leukaemia.
abstract: The association of interferon (IFN) therapy with haemolytic uraemic syndrome in patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) has been reported infrequently. The pathogenesis of the renal lesion in such cases remains unclear. We report the case of a patient with chronic myeloid leukaemia who developed nephrotic syndrome and renal failure while being treated with hydroxyurea and IFN-alpha. Renal biopsy showed features of chronic thrombotic microangiopathy. The discontinuation of IFN-alpha, and a prompt institution of plasmapheresis and steroids resulted in improvement of the nephrotic syndrome and renal function. These findings suggest that long-term IFN-alpha therapy can induce thrombotic microangiopathy and haemolytic uraemic syndrome in patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Dubrava University Hospital, Zagreb Medical School, Zagreb, Croatia. kresog@zagreb.kdb.hr
authors.forename: Kresimir
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Galesic
authors.forename: Borka
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bozic
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Racic
authors.forename: Mira
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scukanec-Spoljar
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006463:Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced*; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha