Response to low-dose bortezomib in plasma cell leukemia patients with malignant pleural effusion and ascites: a case report and a review of the literature

Intern Med. 2012;51(11):1393-8. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.51.7061. Epub 2012 Jun 1.

Abstract

Pleural effusion or ascites complicating plasmacytoma is rare and has a poor prognosis. A 70-year-old man was diagnosed as plasma cell leukemia and one course of ranimustine-vindesine, melphalan, and prednisolone followed by melphalan and prednisone (MP) maintained a very good partial response. After MP he was diagnosed to have pleural effusion and ascites as a complication of the plasmacytoma. Low-dose bortezomib caused disappearance of the malignant effusion. The malignant effusions recurred after the end of the second course of bortezomib. High-dose dexamethasone vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and prednisone yielded no benefit, the patient died of Aspergillus pneumonia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage
  • Ascites / drug therapy*
  • Ascites / etiology*
  • Boronic Acids / administration & dosage*
  • Bortezomib
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Plasma Cell / complications*
  • Leukemia, Plasma Cell / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Melphalan / administration & dosage
  • Pleural Effusion, Malignant / drug therapy*
  • Pleural Effusion, Malignant / etiology*
  • Prednisone / administration & dosage
  • Pyrazines / administration & dosage*
  • Treatment Failure

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Boronic Acids
  • Pyrazines
  • Bortezomib
  • Melphalan
  • Prednisone