Successful treatment with daratumumab for post-HSCT refractory hemolytic anemia

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2020 Jan;67(1):e28010. doi: 10.1002/pbc.28010. Epub 2019 Sep 22.

Abstract

Autoimmune cytopenias (AIC) following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) may cause significant morbidity and mortality and are often challenging to treat. We present a case of a pediatric patient with primary myelofibrosis of infancy caused by VPS45 protein deficiency, who developed severe refractory hemolytic anemia and immune-mediated thrombocytopenia 3.5 months following HSCT. After the failure of several treatments, he received daratumumab, an anti-CD38 specific antibody, and demonstrated fast and sustained response. The only side effect was delayed recovery of humoral immunity. Daratumumab, by targeting antibody-producing plasma cells, may be a valid treatment option for refractory post-HSCT AIC.

Keywords: HSCT; autoimmune hemolytic anemia; daratumumab; immune cytopenia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anemia, Hemolytic / drug therapy*
  • Anemia, Hemolytic / etiology
  • Anemia, Hemolytic / pathology
  • Anemia, Refractory / drug therapy*
  • Anemia, Refractory / etiology
  • Anemia, Refractory / pathology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Primary Myelofibrosis / pathology
  • Primary Myelofibrosis / therapy*
  • Prognosis
  • Transplantation, Homologous
  • Vesicular Transport Proteins / deficiency

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • VPS45 protein, human
  • Vesicular Transport Proteins
  • daratumumab