Spontaneous Regression of Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm Following Sepsis by Serratia marcescens: A Case Report and Literature Review

Intern Med. 2021;60(6):927-933. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.5820-20. Epub 2021 Mar 15.

Abstract

Spontaneous regression is rare in patients with blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN). An 85-year-old man presented with pancytopenia and skin lesions, and the bone marrow exhibited 79.6% CD4+, CD56+, CD123+, and TCL-1+ abnormal cells, with a normal karyotype; he was thus diagnosed with BPDCN. While being followed without chemotherapy, he was admitted due to sepsis induced by Serratia marcescens, which was successfully treated with antibiotics. Notably, his blood cell counts improved, and the skin lesions disappeared. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of spontaneous regression of BPDCN with a decrease in tumor cells in the bone marrow following sepsis.

Keywords: Serratia marcescens; blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm; sepsis; spontaneous regression.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Dendritic Cells
  • Hematologic Neoplasms*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Myeloproliferative Disorders*
  • Sepsis*
  • Serratia marcescens
  • Skin Neoplasms*