Immune-related late-onset hemorrhagic cystitis post allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
BACKGROUND
The pathophysiology of late-onset hemorrhagic cystitis (LOHC) is currently not well understood. The aim of this study was to analyze the alloimmune aetiology in the pathogenesis of LOHC post allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).


METHODS
A retrospective study was performed on the medical records of 11 patients with immune-related LOHC post allogeneic HSCT. The clinical characteristics, therapy, and outcomes of these patients were analyzed.


RESULTS
The median time of onset was 42 days after HSCT (range 16-150 days) and the median duration of HC was 43 days (range 29-47 days). All patients presented with prolonged HC for more than 35 days. Nine patients with evidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation did not respond to anti-viral therapy even with CMV clearance in the urine post-therapy. Eleven patients with refractory HC received a low dose of corticosteroids and all patients went into complete remission.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that alloimmune injury is involved in the pathogenesis of HC in at least some patients and that specific therapy might improve the clinical outcome of hemorrhagic cystitis.
Huang
Xiao-jun
XJ
Institute of Hematology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China. xjhrm@medmail.com.cn
Liu
Dai-hong
DH
Xu
Lan-ping
LP
Zhang
Hong-yu
HY
Liu
Kai-yan
KY
D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D003556:Cystitis / Q000209:etiology*; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000009:adverse effects