Fatal neurotoxicity in a patient with down syndrome treated with chemotherapy, irradiation, stem cell transplant, and clofarabine

J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2010 Apr;32(3):e111-3. doi: 10.1097/MPH.0b013e3181d1ec2c.

Abstract

Clofarabine is an effective therapy of pediatric patients with relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We present a child with Down syndrome who had received previous chemotherapy, cranial radiation, and a stem cell transplant with total body irradiation for her acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She subsequently relapsed and was treated with clofarabine. After her third course, she had a stroke that was felt to be secondary to dehydration and radiation vasculitis. After her subsequent course of clofarabine, she developed fatal neurotoxicity.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenine Nucleotides / adverse effects*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Arabinonucleosides / adverse effects*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Clofarabine
  • Down Syndrome / therapy*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Neurotoxicity Syndromes / drug therapy
  • Neurotoxicity Syndromes / etiology*
  • Stem Cell Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Whole-Body Irradiation / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Adenine Nucleotides
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Arabinonucleosides
  • Clofarabine