title: Immune thrombocytopenia during interferon-alfa therapy for renal cell carcinoma.
abstract: Immune thrombocytopenia is a rare complication of interferon-alfa (IFN-alpha). A patient with renal cell carcinoma developed severe thrombocytopenia during therapy with purified IFN-alpha. The patient's exposure to IFN, exclusion of other causes, and bone marrow biopsy were consistent with drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia. Cessation of IFN and corticosteroid administration resulted in the prompt recovery of platelets. The patient was re-challenged with recombinant IFN-alpha-2b under careful observation; there was no occurrence of severe thrombocytopenia. It was suggested that the difference of the subtypes composing IFN-alpha resulted in the lack of cross reactivity.
authors.affiliation: The Department of Urology, Nishi-Kobe Medical Center.
authors.forename: Shusuke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akamatsu
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Asazuma
authors.forename: Sojun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kanamaru
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Takenawa
authors.forename: Asaki
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Soeda
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins