title: Delayed autoimmune hemolytic anemia in efalizumab-treated psoriasis.
abstract: Efalizumab, a humanized anti-CD11a monoclonal antibody, has been shown to treat plaque psoriasis. A known association between this drug and autoimmune thrombocytopenia has already been established. More recently publicized, however, is efalizumab's ability to affect another cell line--that of the erythrocyte--and cause an autoimmune hemolytic anemia that typically occurs 4 to 6 months after initiating therapy. In this article, we report the case of a patient who developed autoimmune hemolytic anemia after 8 months of successful treatment with efalizumab. His delayed presentation suggests that monitoring of blood cell counts longer than 6 months may be warranted.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Medical Education, Clinical Investigation Department, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, CA 92134, USA. juliak90275@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Julia M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kwan
authors.forename: Amy M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Reese
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Trafeli
mesh_terms: D000744:Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D002464:Cell Migration Inhibition; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; C472181:efalizumab