Refractory IgG Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia Treated with Eculizumab: A Novel Application of Anticomplement Therapy. (22nd March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ma, Kim; Caplan, Stephen
• Other Names: Ohsaka Akimichi Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Case reports in hematology. Volume 2016(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-03-22
• Subjects: Hematology -- Periodicals; Hematology -- Case studies -- Periodicals; Blood -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Hematology; Hematologic Diseases; Blood -- Diseases; Hematology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Case studies; Periodicals; Case Reports; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 616.15
• DOI: 10.1155/2016/9181698
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-6560

Abstract

Abstract : Warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (wAIHA) is the most common form of AIHA, with corticosteroids in first-line treatment resulting in a 60–80% response rate. Atypical wAIHA and IgG plus complement mediated disease have a higher treatment failure rate and higher recurrence rate. We report a case of severe wAIHA secondary to Waldenström macroglobulinemia with life threatening intravascular hemolysis refractory to prednisone, rituximab, splenectomy, and plasmapheresis. A four-week treatment of eculizumab in this heavily pretreated patient resulted in a sustained increase in hemoglobin and transfusion independence, suggesting a role for complement inhibition in refractory wAIHA.