Complete remission of multiple myeloma after autoimmune hemolytic anemia: possible association with interferon-alpha

Am J Hematol. 2007 Jun;82(6):489-92. doi: 10.1002/ajh.20875.

Abstract

A patient with multiple myeloma (MM) was being maintained on human recombinant interferon-alpha (INF-alpha) after VAD and autologous bone marrow transplantation (pretreated with melphalan). An episode of immune thrombocytopenia and (Coombs positive) autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) was noted while on maintenance INF-alpha, which remitted when it was withdrawn. Following this event, he achieved a state of stable disease that persists (more than 3 years) with no specific myeloma treatment. This sequence of events suggests a relationship between an immunological reaction induced by INF-alpha and the prolonged phase of stable disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / diagnosis
  • Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / immunology
  • Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / therapy*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation / methods
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Interferon Type I / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Myeloma / diagnosis
  • Multiple Myeloma / immunology
  • Multiple Myeloma / therapy*
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / diagnosis
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / immunology
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / therapy
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Remission Induction
  • Transplantation, Autologous
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Interferon Type I
  • Recombinant Proteins