Acute renal failure secondary to severe type I cryoglobulinemia following rituximab therapy for Waldenström's macroglobulinemia

Clin Exp Nephrol. 2008 Aug;12(4):292-295. doi: 10.1007/s10157-008-0042-9. Epub 2008 Feb 22.

Abstract

Waldenström's macroglobulinemia is rare lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by the presence of a monoclonal IgM paraproteinemia. Cryoglobulinemia is a common sequela of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia present in 8-18% of the patients. Cryoglobulinemia has also been described as occurring after treatment with rituximab. In the previous report, the cryoglobulinemia was a transient phenomenon and did not carry any adverse effect. We present a case of an 80-year-old male with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia in whom the rituximab-induced cryoglobulinemia resulted in acute renal failure and a vasculitic rash. Cryoglobulins level reached a peak of 63%. The patient was successfully treated with plasmapheresis, chlorambucil and prednisone, with near-complete recovery of renal function. As this case illustrates, the rituximab-induced cryoglobulin is not always benign. Pre- and post-treatment monitoring of the cryoglobulin level is advised in these patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Kidney Injury / diagnosis
  • Acute Kidney Injury / etiology*
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Cryoglobulinemia / chemically induced*
  • Cryoglobulinemia / complications*
  • Cryoglobulins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / adverse effects*
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use
  • Kidney Glomerulus / pathology
  • Male
  • Rituximab
  • Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Cryoglobulins
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Rituximab