High-Dose Methotrexate for the Treatment of Relapsed Central Nervous System Erdheim-Chester Disease

Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare multisystem non-Langerhans histiocytosis. CNS involvement is a major complication, which is often rapidly progressive and confers a poor prognosis. However, treatment of CNS ECD is difficult due to poor CNS penetrance by the most effective chemotherapeutic dru...

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Main Authors: Prahlad Ho, Carole Smith
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2014-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Hematology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/269359
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author Prahlad Ho
Carole Smith
author_facet Prahlad Ho
Carole Smith
author_sort Prahlad Ho
collection DOAJ
description Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare multisystem non-Langerhans histiocytosis. CNS involvement is a major complication, which is often rapidly progressive and confers a poor prognosis. However, treatment of CNS ECD is difficult due to poor CNS penetrance by the most effective chemotherapeutic drugs commonly used in this disorder (e.g., interferon and cladribine). We describe a case of a 60-year-old lady with a 5-year history of stable systemic ECD who presented with new brainstem lesions and rapid, steroid-refractory neurological deterioration which required immediate intervention. High-dose methotrexate was chosen due to its rapid onset of action and excellent CNS penetration. Her neurological deterioration was quickly arrested with significant functional improvement, which was sustained for 4 months with consolidation doses of high-dose methotrexate. Subsequent treatment with cladribine and interferon did not confer any appreciable clinical improvement. High-dose methotrexate is effective in controlling rapidly progressive CNS ECD and should be considered as a salvage agent prior to commencement of more definitive treatment.
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spelling doaj-art-c11e168721194820a1505151cc67aef42025-02-03T01:30:08ZengWileyCase Reports in Hematology2090-65602090-65792014-01-01201410.1155/2014/269359269359High-Dose Methotrexate for the Treatment of Relapsed Central Nervous System Erdheim-Chester DiseasePrahlad Ho0Carole Smith1Department of Clinical Haematology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, AustraliaDepartment of Clinical Haematology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, AustraliaErdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare multisystem non-Langerhans histiocytosis. CNS involvement is a major complication, which is often rapidly progressive and confers a poor prognosis. However, treatment of CNS ECD is difficult due to poor CNS penetrance by the most effective chemotherapeutic drugs commonly used in this disorder (e.g., interferon and cladribine). We describe a case of a 60-year-old lady with a 5-year history of stable systemic ECD who presented with new brainstem lesions and rapid, steroid-refractory neurological deterioration which required immediate intervention. High-dose methotrexate was chosen due to its rapid onset of action and excellent CNS penetration. Her neurological deterioration was quickly arrested with significant functional improvement, which was sustained for 4 months with consolidation doses of high-dose methotrexate. Subsequent treatment with cladribine and interferon did not confer any appreciable clinical improvement. High-dose methotrexate is effective in controlling rapidly progressive CNS ECD and should be considered as a salvage agent prior to commencement of more definitive treatment.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/269359
spellingShingle Prahlad Ho
Carole Smith
High-Dose Methotrexate for the Treatment of Relapsed Central Nervous System Erdheim-Chester Disease
Case Reports in Hematology
title High-Dose Methotrexate for the Treatment of Relapsed Central Nervous System Erdheim-Chester Disease
title_full High-Dose Methotrexate for the Treatment of Relapsed Central Nervous System Erdheim-Chester Disease
title_fullStr High-Dose Methotrexate for the Treatment of Relapsed Central Nervous System Erdheim-Chester Disease
title_full_unstemmed High-Dose Methotrexate for the Treatment of Relapsed Central Nervous System Erdheim-Chester Disease
title_short High-Dose Methotrexate for the Treatment of Relapsed Central Nervous System Erdheim-Chester Disease
title_sort high dose methotrexate for the treatment of relapsed central nervous system erdheim chester disease
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/269359
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