Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) during remission induction course of acute myeloid leukemia: a possible role for all-transretinoic-acid (ATRA)?

Pathol Biol (Paris). 2009 Sep;57(6):500-2. doi: 10.1016/j.patbio.2008.06.005. Epub 2008 Sep 26.

Abstract

Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a clinical syndrome characterized by sudden onset of respiratory distress due to pulmonary edema during or following transfusion. Two proposed pathophysiologic mechanisms for TRALI were proposed: the antibody hypothesis and the two-event hypothesis. The two-event hypothesis postulates that a pathway to neutrophil activation and aggregation can occur without leukocyte antibodies. We report a case of TRALI occurring during remission induction course of acute myeloid leukemia in a 27-year-old woman who received All-transretinoic-acid (ATRA). We postulate that ATRA may have played a role in this life-threatening complication by priming neutrophil and enhancing their adherence and their activation in the pulmonary endothelium. TRALI improved with non-invasive ventilation support and use of high dose corticosteroids.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anemia / etiology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / drug therapy
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / pathology
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / therapy*
  • Leukocytosis / etiology*
  • Remission Induction / methods
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome / etiology
  • Transfusion Reaction*
  • Tretinoin / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Tretinoin