Azacitidine and lenalidomide as an alternative treatment for refractory acute myeloid leukemia: a case report

Sao Paulo Med J. 2015 May-Jun;133(3):271-4. doi: 10.1590/1516-3180.2012.6790006. Epub 2014 Sep 19.

Abstract

Context: Refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a difficult disease to control with second or third-line chemotherapy regimens. In this report, we describe using azacitidine in combination with lenalidomide as salvage therapy.

Case report: 52-year-old female was diagnosed with refractory AML and high-risk cytogenetics: complex monosomal karyotype consisting of t (3, 3) in association with monosomy 7 and del 5q. Morphological remission associated with maintenance of the cytogenetic abnormality of chromosome 3 and disappearance of the abnormalities relating to chromosomes 5 and 7 was achieved after three cycles of combination therapy with azacitidine and lenalidomide.

Conclusion: Azacitidine plus lenalidomide can be a therapeutic option for patients with refractory AML, as illustrated in this case.

CONTEXTO:: A leucemia mieloide aguda (LMA) refratária é considerada doença de difícil controle com regime quimioterápico de segunda ou terceira linha. Neste relato, é descrito o uso de azacitidina em combinação com lenalidomida como esquema de resgate.

RELATO DE CASO:: Paciente de 52 anos, do sexo feminino, com o diagnóstico de LMA refratária de alto risco citogenético, apresentava cariótipo complexo e monossômico, com t (3, 3), associado à monosomia do 7 e del 5q. Destaca-se que, após três ciclos da terapia combinada com azacitidina e lenalidomida, houve remissão morfológica, com manutenção da anormalidade citogenética relacionada ao cromossomo 3 e desaparecimento da anormalidade relacionada aos cromossomos 5 e 7.

CONCLUSÃO:: Azacitidina e lenalidomida podem ser opção terapêutica para pacientes com LMA refratária, como demonstrado neste caso.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / administration & dosage
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Azacitidine / administration & dosage
  • Azacitidine / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lenalidomide
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / drug therapy*
  • Middle Aged
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Thalidomide / administration & dosage
  • Thalidomide / analogs & derivatives*
  • Thalidomide / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
  • Thalidomide
  • Lenalidomide
  • Azacitidine