Long-term outcomes of allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients after calcineurin inhibitor-induced neurotoxicity

Br J Haematol. 2003 Oct;123(1):110-3. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2141.2003.04550.x.

Abstract

Calcineurin inhibitor-induced central nervous system toxicities are uncommon and often resolve after discontinuation of the offending drug. The long-term outcome of these patients is, however, unknown. Resolution of symptoms occurred in 70% of 30 allografted recipients who developed calcineurin inhibitor-induced neurotoxicity. When patients were rechallenged with the same or a different calcineurin inhibitor, symptoms recurred in 41%, leading to permanent discontinuation of the drug. De novo or progressive acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was observed in 54% of patients at a median of 7 d (range 1-70 d) after initial onset of neurotoxicity. The prognosis was grim, with 24 (80%) of these patients dying a median 33 d after the onset of neurotoxicity (range 2-594 d). GVHD and/or infection occurred in 54% and were the most common primary causes of death. We conclude that calcineurin inhibitor-induced neurotoxicity is frequently reversible but associated with a poor prognosis.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bone Marrow Diseases / mortality
  • Bone Marrow Diseases / surgery*
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation
  • Brain / pathology
  • Calcineurin Inhibitors*
  • Central Nervous System Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Central Nervous System Diseases / mortality
  • Central Nervous System Diseases / pathology
  • Cyclosporine / adverse effects
  • Cyclosporine / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Graft vs Host Disease / mortality
  • Graft vs Host Disease / prevention & control
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Methotrexate / adverse effects
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Prednisone / adverse effects
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tacrolimus / adverse effects
  • Tacrolimus / therapeutic use
  • Transplantation, Homologous

Substances

  • Calcineurin Inhibitors
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Cyclosporine
  • Prednisone
  • Tacrolimus
  • Methotrexate