title: Gemcitabine-associated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.
abstract: Gemcitabine-associated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare complication of gemcitabine treatment with a incidence ranging from 0.015% to 1.4%. Clinically, this disease manifests as haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopenia, and renal insufficiency; hypertension and neurological and pulmonary symptoms are also known complications. The risk of TTP increases as the cumulative dose of gemcitabine approaches 20,000 mg/m(2). The pathophysiology of this disease entity is unknown although several theories, involving both immune and non-immune mechanisms, have been proposed. The most effective treatment is discontinuation of gemcitabine, the provision of antihypertensive medications as needed, and consideration of plasmapheresis or use of immunoadsorption column in severe cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medicine/Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Springfield, IL 62704, USA. mzupancic@siumed.edu
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zupancic
authors.forename: Prabodh C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Farheen
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Shah-Khan
mesh_terms: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006801:Humans; D011697:Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D012264:Ribonucleotide Reductases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D000093542:Gemcitabine
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D012264:Ribonucleotide Reductases; D000093542:Gemcitabine