Long-term survival in primary plasma cell leukemia after therapy with VAD, autologous blood stem cell transplantation and interferon-alpha

Primary plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is a rare form of plasma cell neoplasm with a poor prognosis.

Conventional melphalan-based treatments have been most disappointing. We report the case of a 62-year-old man with a primary form of PCL treated with VAD combination achieving an objective response, and who received high-dose melphalan and autologous peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplantation followed by interferon-alpha. During the remission time, lasting for 3 years, an infiltration by large granular lymphocytes (LGL) was noted in peripheral blood. However, when the number of LGL declined, a bone marrow relapse was observed.

The treatment for PCL and the possible role of these LGL on tumor cell control after autologous PBSC transplantation are discussed.

CITA DEL ARTÍCULO Acta Haematol. 1999;101(4):193-6