Fatal adenovirus infection during alemtuzumab (anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody) treatment of a patient with fludarabine-refractory B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Med Oncol. 2002;19(4):277-80. doi: 10.1385/MO:19:4:277.

Abstract

Alemtuzumab (Campath-1H) is a humanized CD52 monoclonal antibody that targets normal as well as malignant B- and T-lymphocytes. Alemtuzumab has significant antitumor activity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) but also induces immunosuppression. We describe a case of fatal adenovirus infection in a heavily pretreated patient with fludarabine-refractory B-CLL receiving alemtuzumab therapy, drawing attention to the fact that also viruses other than cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex (HSV) need to be considered in B-CLL patients with fever of unknown origin while on alemtuzumab treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenoviridae Infections / etiology*
  • Alemtuzumab
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antibodies, Neoplasm / adverse effects*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Vidarabine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Vidarabine / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antibodies, Neoplasm
  • Alemtuzumab
  • Vidarabine
  • fludarabine