Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy following treatment with bendamustine and rituximab

Sean Warsch; Peter J Hosein; Michele I Morris; Uygar Teomete; Ronald Benveniste; Jennifer R Chapman; Izidore S Lossos

doi:10.1007/s12185-012-1118-6

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy following treatment with bendamustine and rituximab

Int J Hematol. 2012 Aug;96(2):274-8. doi: 10.1007/s12185-012-1118-6. Epub 2012 Jun 9.

Authors

Sean Warsch¹, Peter J Hosein, Michele I Morris, Uygar Teomete, Ronald Benveniste, Jennifer R Chapman, Izidore S Lossos

Affiliation

¹ Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.

PMID: 22684926
DOI: 10.1007/s12185-012-1118-6

Abstract

A 66-year-old female developed progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) 17 months after treatment with bendamustine and rituximab chemoimmunotherapy. During her evaluation for PML, she was found to have a CD4 count of 176 cells/μL (reference range 492-1740). The patient demonstrated spontaneous recovery of symptoms that occurred in parallel with recovery of the CD4 counts. While PML is associated with rituximab therapy, the timing and patients' clinical course are atypical, raising the possibility of a previously unreported association with bendamustine therapy.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Aged
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / administration & dosage
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects*
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
Bendamustine Hydrochloride
Biopsy
Brain / pathology
Female
Humans
Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / chemically induced*
Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / diagnosis*
Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell / complications*
Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell / drug therapy
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Nitrogen Mustard Compounds / administration & dosage
Rituximab

Substances

Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
Nitrogen Mustard Compounds
Rituximab
Bendamustine Hydrochloride