Eculizumab and thrombotic microangiopathy after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A report on its efficacy and safety in two pediatric patients.

BACKGROUND

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a severe complication after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), with the reported mortality rate in such cases usually reaching 90%.

CASES: We report on two pediatric cases of patients successfully treated by eculizumab for severe HSCT-TMA, occurring in two girls (8.4 and 3.6 years). The first patient developed TMA with hematologic abnormalities and renal/pulmonary lesions after allogeneic HSCT for Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia; she received eculizumab 7 months after HSCT, with a dramatic improvement of renal function. The second patient developed severe TMA (cardiac tamponade, renal failure requiring dialysis, gastritis) after autologous HSCT for metastatic neuroblastoma. She received eculizumab for 7 months, with a dramatic improvement of renal function. No side effects were observed.

CONCLUSION

The use of eculizumab as first-line therapy in pediatric patients with severe HSCT-TMA with multisystemic lesions appears promising. Larger international studies are required to confirm its benefit and safety for this specific indication.