David A Fulcher | PubMed Health

PubMed2006

TACI mutation with invasive polyclonal CD8+ T-cell lymphoproliferation in a patient with common variable immunodeficiency.

Mutations of the gene encoding the TNF receptor family member transmembrane activator and calcium-modulator and cyclophilin ligand interactor (TACI), TNFSRF13B, have recently been described in patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). We report the case of a man with CVID in association with a heterozygous TACI gene mutation (C104R) who had a highly unusual, invasive, polyclonal CD8+ T-cell lymphoproliferation resulting in massive hepatosplenomegaly and causing renal impairment because of infiltration. Although lymphoproliferation is well described in CVID, the key features in this patient included the T-cell origin of the lymphoproliferation, its polyclonal nature, its infiltration into multiple organs, and the presence of the TACI gene mutation.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Carboplatin desensitization.

BACKGROUND: IgE-mediated carboplatin hypersensitivity reactions occur in up to 30% of patients receiving this agent for chemotherapy of solid tumors, thus limiting therapeutic options. OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience with intravenous carboplatin desensitization regimens, which culminated in a standardized, successful protocol for safe administration. METHODS: Eight consecutive patients with ovarian cancer who had experienced severe anaphylactic reactions to carboplatin were referred to our hospital. Intradermal skin testing was performed by raising a 3-mm bleb by injection of undiluted carboplatin at 10 mg/mL, and the wheal size was read at 20 minutes. The outcomes of the various desensitization regimens were documented prospectively, and the experience gained was used to develop a standardized protocol for administration. RESULTS: All patients had positive intradermal skin test results. The first 3 patients were treated with short (90 minutes to 6 hours) desensitization protocols, and all protocols failed on the first or second infusions. These 3 and a subsequent 5 patients were given intravenous carboplatin according to a protocol of gradual dose escalation over a 4-log dose range given during a 4-day period, with subsequent 3-weekly infusions given more rapidly by omitting the most dilute log dose on each occasion. All patients tolerated the longer infusion protocol without event, and all but 1 patient experienced appropriate tumor marker response. CONCLUSIONS: Short carboplatin desensitization protocols (less than 6 hours) have an unacceptable failure rate in patients with carboplatin allergy, but longer infusion times (days) are well tolerated without recurrence of the allergic reaction and with good tumor response. In cases where carboplatin is the optimal therapeutic agent, clinicians should not be deterred by an anaphylactic reaction to it or by failure of shorter desensitization regimens.

Aged↗