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Prolonged remission of longstanding systemic lupus erythematosus after autologous bone marrow transplant for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Abstract

We describe a patient with longstanding steroid-dependent systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in whom clinical and serological remission was achieved following high-dose therapy and autologous bone marrow rescue for high-grade non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. However, 3 years later, autoimmune disease re-presented in the form of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), which had not previously been a feature of the SLE, necessitating reintroduction of steroid immunosuppression. Relapse of SLE is most likely, although de novo ITP post-BMT is also a possibility. The case suggests that severe longstanding autoimmune disease may be controlled by high-dose therapy and autologous stem cell reconstitution. However, further studies are required to determine the mechanism of re-emergence of autoimmunity and to evaluate optimal regimens and the potential value of such therapy in severe autoimmune diseases.

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Snowden, J., Patton, W., O’Donnell, J. et al. Prolonged remission of longstanding systemic lupus erythematosus after autologous bone marrow transplant for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Bone Marrow Transplant 19, 1247–1250 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bmt.1700815

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bmt.1700815

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