Long-term remission in idiopathic Castleman's disease with tocilizumab followed by consolidation with high-dose melphalan-two case studies.

• Multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD) is an uncommon lymphoproliferative disorder, often associated with a clinically aggressive behavior. No standard treatment has been established, but patients are usually treated with lymphoma-type regimens such as rituximab or combination chemotherapy. Recently, immunotherapies targeting IL-6 have proven effective and have been approved for this indication. However, these agents require long-term administration. Here, we describe the clinical course of two patients, refractory to rituximab and chemotherapy, showing long-term remission (18 and 24 months), following an induction phase with tocilizumab (an anti-IL-6 receptor antibody) and a consolidative phase with high-dose melphalan accompanied by autologous stem cell support. This may prove to be an effective option for this group of patients with an orphan disorder.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Cancer och onkologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Cancer and Oncology (hsv//eng)

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