Thalidomide for the treatment of histiocytic sarcoma after hematopoietic stem cell transplant

Am J Hematol. 2007 Oct;82(10):932-3. doi: 10.1002/ajh.20913.

Abstract

Histiocytic sarcoma (HS) is a rare neoplasm of uncertain etiology. Most recently, the diagnostic criteria for this entity have been revised with inclusion of diagnostic modalities such as immunohistochemical and cytogentic techniques. HS tends to have an aggressive clinical course and presents with systemic symptoms of fever, weight loss, adenopathy, hepatosplenomegly, rash, and pancytopenia. Thalidomide is a promising agent that may exert a therapeutic benefit in HS. We report a case of a 48-year-old female with HS who presented with fever, weight loss, fatigue, generalized anasarca, and pancytopenia. She underwent multi-agent chemotherapy followed by matched unrelated hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Her disease recurred and thalidomide therapy was started, with her overall disease burden significantly reduced as measured radiographically.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Cisplatin / administration & dosage
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Cytarabine / administration & dosage
  • Dexamethasone / administration & dosage
  • Disease Progression
  • Doxorubicin / administration & dosage
  • Etoposide / administration & dosage
  • Female
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Histiocytes / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Prednisone / administration & dosage
  • Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / surgery
  • Sarcoma / drug therapy*
  • Sarcoma / pathology
  • Sarcoma / surgery
  • Thalidomide / therapeutic use*
  • Vincristine / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Cytarabine
  • Thalidomide
  • Vincristine
  • Etoposide
  • Dexamethasone
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Cisplatin
  • Prednisone

Supplementary concepts

  • DHAP protocol
  • EPOCH protocol