[Successful treatment of heavy-chain disease with etoposide]

Nihon Ronen Igakkai Zasshi. 1997 Mar;34(3):221-5. doi: 10.3143/geriatrics.34.221.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

A 79-year-old man with marked hepatosplenomegaly and lymphadenopathy was admitted to the hospital. Analysis of serum protein resulted in the diagnosis of gamma-chain disease (total protein 6.2 g/dl, M-protein positive, IgG 4150 mg/dl, IgG-Fc fragment positive). Specimens obtained by lymph node biopsies showed infiltration of plasmacytoid cells, which were stained with anti-IgG but not with anti-kappa or anti-lambda antibodies. The patient was given combination chemotherapy, but without effect. Then a regimen of long-term administration of low-dose etoposide was begun, and resulted in remission of the lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and abnormal IgG.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Aged
  • Etoposide / administration & dosage
  • Etoposide / therapeutic use*
  • Heavy Chain Disease / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Male

Substances

  • Etoposide