Rituximab-containing Chemotherapy (R-CHOP)-induced Kaposi's Sarcoma in an HIV-negative Patient with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma

Intern Med. 2015;54(24):3205-8. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.54.5103. Epub 2015 Dec 15.

Abstract

Rituximab treatment may cause or exacerbate Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated multicentric Castleman's disease. Despite the widespread use of rituximab, rituximab-induced KS has not yet been reported in HIV-negative patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We herein report a case of KS that developed after undergoing rituximab-containing chemotherapy in an HIV-negative patient with DLBCL. An 84-year-old man who received rituximab-containing chemotherapy for the treatment of DLBCL developed severe infection, and subsequently KS. Our observations indicate that serious infections under rituximab treatment may trigger KS. KS should therefore be considered when skin tumors appear in lymphoma patients receiving rituximab-containing chemotherapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects*
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Cyclophosphamide / adverse effects
  • Doxorubicin / administration & dosage
  • Doxorubicin / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Prednisolone / administration & dosage
  • Prednisolone / adverse effects
  • Rituximab / administration & dosage
  • Rituximab / adverse effects
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / chemically induced*
  • Skin Neoplasms / chemically induced*
  • Vincristine / administration & dosage
  • Vincristine / adverse effects

Substances

  • Rituximab
  • Vincristine
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Prednisolone

Supplementary concepts

  • VAP-cyclo protocol