Calcineurin inhibitor-induced irreversible neuropathic pain after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Int J Hematol. 2006 Jun;83(5):459-61. doi: 10.1532/IJH97.05154.

Abstract

The calcineurin inhibitors (CIs) cyclosporine A and tacrolimus are essential for graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis but are associated with adverse effects, including neurotoxicity. We report a case of irreversible CI-induced neuropathic pain following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The patient developed dysesthesia, electric shock-like pain, and severe itching followed by intractable analgesic-resistant pain in the lower extremities. There were no abnormal radiographic findings, and there was no improvement with a reduction of CI dosage or with administration of a calcium channel blocker. These clinical findings are similar to but inconsistent with CI-induced musculoskeletal pain syndromes previously reported in organ transplantation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Calcineurin Inhibitors*
  • Cyclosporine / administration & dosage
  • Cyclosporine / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Graft vs Host Disease / diagnostic imaging
  • Graft vs Host Disease / prevention & control
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation* / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / administration & dosage
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects*
  • Pain / chemically induced*
  • Pain / diagnostic imaging
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / complications
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / therapy
  • Radiography
  • Tacrolimus / administration & dosage
  • Tacrolimus / adverse effects*
  • Transplantation, Homologous

Substances

  • Calcineurin Inhibitors
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Cyclosporine
  • Tacrolimus