title: Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy following chemotherapy for lung cancer.
abstract: Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system caused by the JC virus infection and with a frequent lethal outcome. PML usually occurs in immunocompromised subjects, such as HIV-positive individuals, as well as in other conditions characterized by depletion of cellular immunity, including hematological malignancies, autoimmune diseases, and immunomodulatory therapies. We describe the case of a 76-year-old man affected by advanced non-small cell lung cancer who developed PML after six cycles of carboplatin/gemcitabine therapy, during which a transitory leucopenia developed. The patient deceased a few months after the onset of the symptoms. Chemotherapy appears to be uncommon, but definite condition associated to PML.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Hospital of Portogruaro, Portogruaro, VE, Italy. antonio.palmieri@ulss10.veneto.it
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palmieri
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Valentinis
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bazzano
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baldi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Orlando
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tenaglia
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: D'Anna
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D000077192:Adenocarcinoma of Lung; D000368:Aged; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007968:Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D000093542:Gemcitabine
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D016190:Carboplatin; D000093542:Gemcitabine