PACT WITH THE DEVIL: ALEMTUZUMAB THERAPY, IMMUNE SUPPRESSION AND INFECTIOUS COMPLICATIONS IN CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA

Authors

  • I. ANTOHE University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”- Iasi
  • Angela DASCALESCU University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”- Iasi
  • Cristina BURCOVEANU Regional Oncology Institute Iasi
  • Doramina GHIORGHIU Regional Oncology Institute Iasi
  • Alina DASCALU Regional Oncology Institute Iasi
  • C. DANAILA University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”- Iasi

Keywords:

CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA, ALEMTUZUMAB, IMMUNE SUPPRESSION, MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS, ATYPICAL INFECTION.

Abstract

Infectious complications are an important cause of hospitalization in patients diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The pathogenesis of infection is complex, involving both disease-induced and treatment-related immune depression. During the last decade, the management of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has been redefined by the approval of monoclonal antibody-based treatment, which resulted in improved therapeutic responses. Nonetheless, the profound lymphopenia induced by monoclonal agents was accompanied by increased incidence of infections caused by a new spectrum of opportunistic microorganisms. We report the case of a patient with hypercellular CLL who received Alemtuzumab as first line therapy and obtained a satisfactory therapeutic response, but developed subsequent atypical infectious complications.

Author Biographies

  • I. ANTOHE, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”- Iasi

    Faculty of Medicine
    Ph.D. Student

  • Angela DASCALESCU, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”- Iasi

    Faculty of Medicine
    Discipline of Hematology

  • Cristina BURCOVEANU, Regional Oncology Institute Iasi


  • C. DANAILA, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”- Iasi

    Faculty of Medicine
    Discipline of Hematology

References

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Additional Files

Published

2018-05-14

Issue

Vol. 118 No. 1 (2014): The Medical-Surgical Journal

Section

INTERNAL MEDICINE - PEDIATRICS

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