Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease in fludarabine-treated B-chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

Br J Haematol. 1994 Nov;88(3):649-52. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.1994.tb05093.x.

Abstract

Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD) is a rare but serious complication of blood component therapy in patients with haematological malignancies. B-chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL), however, has rarely been associated with TA-GVHD. We report three patients with advanced B-CLL who developed TA-GVHD. All these had been treated with fludarabine. Suppression of T cells by fludarabine may have contributed to an increased susceptibility to TA-GVHD. The use of irradiated blood products to prevent this complication should be considered for patients with advanced B-CLL treated with fludarabine or other purine analogues.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Graft vs Host Disease / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / drug therapy*
  • Transfusion Reaction*
  • Vidarabine / adverse effects
  • Vidarabine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Vidarabine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Vidarabine
  • fludarabine