Severe renal complications in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia

J Nephrol. 2008 Jul-Aug;21(4):609-14.

Abstract

A 56-year-old man presented with peripheral monocytosis and massive nephrotic syndrome. He was diagnosed as having chronic myelomonocytic leukemia and membranous glomerulonephritis. He received prednisone, chlorambucil and hydroxyurea, but the nephrotic syndrome persisted. Seven months after diagnosis, he was started on cyclosporin A; 1 month later he developed acute renal failure due to radiolucent bilateral renoureteral stones. His kidney function recovered after placing ureteral catheters and urine alkalization. Afterward, he was given mycophenolate mofetil, and proteinuria decreased to subnephrotic levels (1 g/24 hours). This case highlights 2 severe renal complications in this type of leukemia. To the best of our knowledge, there are only 2 previous cases of glomerulonephritis, histologically proven, associated with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. On the other hand, reversible acute renal failure due to radiolucent bilateral renoureteral stones has never been reported. Also, as far as we know, mycophenolate mofetil was successfully used here for the first time for treating glomerulonephritis-related chronic myelomonocytic leukemia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Kidney Injury / diagnosis
  • Acute Kidney Injury / drug therapy
  • Acute Kidney Injury / etiology*
  • Biopsy
  • Bone Marrow / pathology
  • Cyclosporine / therapeutic use
  • Disease Progression
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Glomerulonephritis, Membranous / complications*
  • Glomerulonephritis, Membranous / diagnosis
  • Glomerulonephritis, Membranous / drug therapy
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / complications*
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / diagnosis
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycophenolic Acid / analogs & derivatives
  • Mycophenolic Acid / therapeutic use
  • Prodrugs
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Prodrugs
  • Cyclosporine
  • Mycophenolic Acid