Excellent remission rates with limited toxicity in relapsed/refractory Langerhans cell histiocytosis with pulse dexamethasone and lenalidomide in children

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2017 Jan;64(1):110-112. doi: 10.1002/pbc.26199. Epub 2016 Aug 24.

Abstract

Refractory/relapsed Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) has a difficult course with a guarded prognosis. We used a novel protocol including six cycles of pulse dexamethasone and lenalidomide in four children with LCH refractory to first-line agents and courses of cladribine and cytarabine or single-agent cladribine. All four children completed the protocol without any significant adverse effects and remain in complete and durable remission 15-18 months posttreatment. The novel protocol we propose for relapsed/refractory LCH is cost-effective and outpatient-based with durable remission and minimal toxicity. This is particularly suited for resource-limited settings.

Keywords: Langerhans cell histiocytosis; lenalidomide; pulse dexamethasone.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Child, Preschool
  • Dexamethasone / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Resistance / drug effects*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / drug therapy*
  • Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / pathology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Lenalidomide
  • Male
  • Prognosis
  • Recurrence
  • Remission Induction
  • Thalidomide / analogs & derivatives*
  • Thalidomide / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Thalidomide
  • Dexamethasone
  • Lenalidomide