title: Effective treatment of severe BK virus-associated hemorrhagic cystitis with leflunomide in children after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a pilot study.
abstract: Leflunomide, an immunosuppressant with antiviral activity, was used to treat 5 children with severe BK virus-associated hemorrhagic cystitis after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Without severe side effects, BK viral loads in blood and urine decreased significantly after leflunomide treatment. Compared with 7 historical controls, duration of BK virus-associated hemorrhagic cystitis was significantly shorter in patients receiving leflunomide therapy (P < 0.01).
authors.affiliation: From the *School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University; †Department of Pediatrics, China Medical University Hospital; ‡Department of Pediatrics, Buddhist Tzu-Chi General Hospital, Taichung Branch; §Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Asia University; ¶Department of Pediatrics; and ‖School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Kang-Hsi
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Tefu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Weng
authors.forename: Han-Ping
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Ching-Tien
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Ji-Nan
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Sheu
authors.forename: Yu-Hua
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chao
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001739:BK Virus; D002648:Child; D003556:Cystitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D006417:Hematuria / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077339:Leflunomide; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D027601:Polyomavirus Infections; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007555:Isoxazoles; D000077339:Leflunomide