Rheumatoid arthritis and associated large granular lymphocytic leukemia--successful treatment with rituximab

Acta Reumatol Port. 2015 Oct-Dec;40(4):384-7.

Abstract

Large granular lymphocytic (LGL) leukemia is an uncommon, usually indolent, lymphoproliferative disorder strongly associated with various autoimmune diseases. The authors report a case of a 67-year-old woman with a long-standing rheumatoid arthritis, who developed neutropenia and associated recurrent infections, diagnosed with LGL leukemia. We describe the treatment approach and the response to an anti-TNF and the rituximab.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / therapeutic use*
  • Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / complications
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Etanercept / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Large Granular Lymphocytic / complications
  • Leukemia, Large Granular Lymphocytic / drug therapy*
  • Neutropenia / drug therapy*
  • Neutropenia / etiology
  • Recurrence
  • Rituximab / therapeutic use*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Rituximab
  • Etanercept