[Antibodies against human recombinant erythropoietin: an unusual cause of erythropoietin resistance]

Nephrologie. 2002;23(1):19-22.
[Article in French]

Abstract

In a 70 year old man with primary glomerulonephritis, severe anemia occurred after 4 years on hemodialysis and rHu-EPO. The usual mechanisms of EPO-resistance were excluded. A bone marrow sample showed red all aplasia. No circulating EPO could be detected; the serum inhibited the growth of erythroid precursors in bone marrow cultures. Immunoprecipitation identified an IgG anti-EPO, still active against deglycosylated EPO, i.e. directed against the peptidic matrix. Its high neutralising capacity and the absence of any immune abnormality rule out an auto-antibody. Anti-rHu EPO immunisation is a very rare occurrence, made severe by transfusion-dependence and the risk of hemosiderosis. An immuno-modulating treatment can therefore be justified.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anemia / blood
  • Anemia / drug therapy*
  • Anemia / etiology
  • Angiodysplasia / complications
  • Blood Transfusion
  • Bone Marrow / pathology
  • Cell Division / drug effects
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Digestive System / blood supply
  • Drug Resistance / immunology
  • Erythroid Precursor Cells / pathology
  • Erythropoietin / immunology*
  • Erythropoietin / therapeutic use
  • Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / pharmacology
  • Hematemesis / drug therapy
  • Hematemesis / etiology
  • Hematemesis / therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / biosynthesis
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology*
  • Isoantibodies / biosynthesis
  • Isoantibodies / immunology*
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / complications
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / therapy
  • Leukemia, Erythroblastic, Acute / pathology
  • Male
  • Melena / drug therapy
  • Melena / etiology
  • Melena / therapy
  • Recombinant Proteins / immunology
  • Recombinant Proteins / therapeutic use
  • Renal Dialysis
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured / drug effects

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Isoantibodies
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Erythropoietin
  • Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor