Rituximab-Related Reversible Hepatocellular Damage

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Rituximab-Related Reversible Hepatocellular Damage

Journal Title: Turkish Journal of Hematology - Year 2012, Vol 29, Issue 4

Abstract

To the Editor, Since its approval in 1997 by the US Food and Drug Administration, use of rituximab (MabThera®, Roche,Switzerland) has become widespread, especially for the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) [1]. Rituximab is a monoclonal chimeric antibody that targets the CD20 antigen on the surface of normal B-cells and malignant cells in patients with CD20 B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders. The toxic effects of rituximab are mild and usually limited to its initial administration [2]. Reactions to its infusion include hypotension, fever, chills, rigors, urticaria, bronchospasm,angioedema, nausea, fatigue, headache, pruritus, dyspnea, rhinitis, vomiting, flushing, and pain at the disease site [3].Such reactions usually occur at the beginning of the initial infusion within 30 min-2 h. Other possible and more serious adverse reactions are tumor lysis syndrome, mucocutaneous reaction, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, hepatitis B reactivation with fulminant hepatitis, infection, cardiac arrhythmias, renal toxicity, and bowel obstruction and perforation [3,4]. A moderate increase in liver function test findings—depending on monoclonal anti-CD20 treatment—have been reported; however, no cases of a 15-20-fold increase in transaminases have been reported. Herein we present a case of rituximab treatmentrelated deterioration in liver function test results in a patient with CLL.

Authors and Affiliations

Selami Toprak, Sema Karakuş

EP ID EP142674
DOI referred to the gastroenterology department for consultaDOI:
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