Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease in fludarabine-treated B-chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

• Published in: British journal of haematology Vol. 88; no. 3; p. 649
• Main Authors: Maung, Z T, Wood, A C, Jackson, G H, Turner, G E, Appleton, A L, Hamilton, P J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.11.1994
• Subjects: Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use; Graft vs Host Disease - etiology; Humans; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell - drug therapy; Transfusion Reaction; Vidarabine - adverse effects; Vidarabine - analogs & derivatives; Vidarabine - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 0007-1048
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.1994.tb05093.x

Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD) is a rare but serious complication of blood component therapy in patients with haematological malignancies. B-chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL), however, has rarely been associated with TA-GVHD. We report three patients with advanced B-CLL who developed TA-GVHD. All these had been treated with fludarabine. Suppression of T cells by fludarabine may have contributed to an increased susceptibility to TA-GVHD. The use of irradiated blood products to prevent this complication should be considered for patients with advanced B-CLL treated with fludarabine or other purine analogues.