Nabhan C, Peterson L A, Kent S A, Tallman M S, Dewald G, Multani P, Gordon L I
Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Medical School and the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
Leuk Lymphoma. 2002 Nov;43(11):2145-9. doi: 10.1080/1042819021000032971.
Targeted therapy with conjugated and unconjugated monoclonal antibodies for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has revolutionized the approach to this disease. The efficacy and low toxicity of these agents have allowed introduction of this strategy in the early stages of therapy. Longer follow-up is needed before validating the safety of these agents. Since monoclonal antibodies are being given as front-line therapy, it is important to identify all potential adverse events. We report a case of secondary acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) with 11q23 cytogenetic abnormality and mixed lymphoid leukemia (MLL) gene expression in a patient treated with Y90 labeled anti-CD20 antibody (Zevalin). The patient was not exposed to topoisomerase II inhibitors. Our observations suggest a relationship between 11q23 leukemia and radioimmunotherapy (RAIT) and further studies are needed.
