Hepatic veno-occlusive disease during chemotherapy for nephroblastoma: successful and safe treatment with defibrotide. Report of a clinical case

Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 2009;31(4):702-5. doi: 10.3109/08923970903095322.

Abstract

Here we report a case of administration of defibrotide in an 11 months old infant with hepatic veno-occlusive disease during chemotherapy for nephroblastoma. He presented with abdominal distension, a weight gain of 15%, ascites, hepatomegaly with right upper quadrant pain, thrombocytopenia and hypertransaminasemia. Despite therapy, his clinical conditions aggravated, and, therefore intravenous administration of defibrotide on a compassionate-use basis was started. The dosage was 15 mg/kg/day in 4 divided doses, which was increased gradually (in 3 days) to 40 mg/kg/day in 4 divided doses. Defibrotide proved safe and effective in resolving clinical symptoms and normalizing serological findings in the syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Compassionate Use Trials
  • Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease / chemically induced
  • Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease / diagnosis
  • Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Polydeoxyribonucleotides / therapeutic use*
  • Wilms Tumor / diagnosis
  • Wilms Tumor / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Polydeoxyribonucleotides
  • defibrotide