Multiple autoimmune events after autologous bone marrow transplantation

Bone Marrow Transplant. 1997 Apr;19(7):745-7. doi: 10.1038/sj.bmt.1700711.

Abstract

A 36-year-old woman with RAEB-t and severe bone marrow fibrosis undergoing autologous BMT, developed a histologically documented GVHD-like skin rash. Thereafter, autoimmune thyroiditis, autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura and autoimmune hemolytic anemia and a lupus anti-coagulant (LAC) were diagnosed. The patient is still alive, symptom-free and in first complete remission (CR); however, all of the autoantibodies are still detectable, with the exception being the anti-erythrocyte antibody. The most outstanding feature of the present case is the polymorphism of the autoimmune events, in the absence of a coexisting systemic autoimmune disease. This patient has achieved long-term disease-free survival (DFS) in first CR despite high-risk MDS and the repeated immunosuppressant therapy required because of the complications described above; a GVL reaction somewhat similar to the autoimmune events may have contributed towards maintaining disease control.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anemia, Refractory, with Excess of Blasts / immunology
  • Anemia, Refractory, with Excess of Blasts / therapy*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / etiology*
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Transplantation, Autologous