title: T-cell ALL in ataxia telangiectasia cured with only 7 weeks of anti-leukemic therapy.
abstract: A 20-month-old girl diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia was treated according to the Nordic NOPHO ALL2000 protocol. The patient developed severe immunosuppression and experienced life-threatening adenovirus infection, which was treated with ribavirin and cidofovir. α-fetoprotein was 20- to 30-fold elevated, and genetic analysis confirmed the diagnosis of ataxia telangiectasia. Despite receiving only 7 weeks of anti-leukemic therapy, she has stayed in first remission now 8 years after the diagnosis. We speculate that this could be because of increased chemosensitivity of ATM-mutated leukemic cells, adenovirus causing a direct oncolytic effect, and/or high levels of endogenous cortisol during her severe infection.
authors.affiliation: Rigshospitalet, University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Ditte S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Hersby
authors.forename: Astrid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sehested
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kristensen
authors.forename: Kjeld
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schmiegelow
mesh_terms: D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000187:drug effects; D000258:Adenovirus Infections, Human / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001260:Ataxia Telangiectasia / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D054218:Precursor T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D011379:Prognosis; D012074:Remission Induction
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents