RESEARCH - Rituximab linked with deadly brain infection

[Guest guest]

Rituximab Linked with Deadly Brain Infection

August 07, 2009 A study is under way to examine the association

between rituximab (Rituxan)—a common lymphoma treatment—and

progressive multifocal leukoencephalitis (PML), a fast-moving and

often fatal infection that attacks the white matter of the brain.

Hematologist and oncologist , MD, of the Northwestern

University Feinberg School of Medicine, is leading the project. In a

recent issue of the journal Blood (2009;113[20]:4834- 4840), he and

his coinvestigators reported on 57 cases, spanning from 1997 to 2008,

in which patients with lymphoma, anemia, or rheumatoid arthritis

developed PML after taking rituximab.

“People may think [PML is] early Alzheimer's disease or depression,”

Dr explained, noting that the infection often goes undiagnosed

because the symptoms are so subtle at first. “Many of these patients

have cancer and when they die, people assume it's the cancer that

killed them.”

******************************************

Read the full article here:

http://www.oncologynursingnews.com/Rituximab-Linked-with-Deadly-Brain-Infection/\

article/140793/

Not an MD

[Guest guest]

Yowza, , this is one of those articles that should be hidden from a

hypochondriac like me!

Kate F

________________________________

From: <Rheumatoid.Arthritis.Support@...>

< >

Sent: Tuesday, August 25, 2009 4:01:47 PM

Subject: [ ] RESEARCH - Rituximab linked with deadly brain infection

Rituximab Linked with Deadly Brain Infection

August 07, 2009 A study is under way to examine the association

between rituximab (Rituxan)—a common lymphoma treatment—and

progressive multifocal leukoencephalitis (PML), a fast-moving and

often fatal infection that attacks the white matter of the brain.

Hematologist and oncologist , MD, of the Northwestern

University Feinberg School of Medicine, is leading the project. In a

recent issue of the journal Blood (2009;113[20]:4834- 4840), he and

his coinvestigators reported on 57 cases, spanning from 1997 to 2008,

in which patients with lymphoma, anemia, or rheumatoid arthritis

developed PML after taking rituximab.

“People may think [PML is] early Alzheimer's disease or depression,â€

Dr explained, noting that the infection often goes undiagnosed

because the symptoms are so subtle at first. “Many of these patients

have cancer and when they die, people assume it's the cancer that

killed them.â€

******************************************

Read the full article here:

http://www.oncologynursingnews.com/Rituximab-Linked-with-Deadly-Brain-Infection/\

article/140793/

Not an MD

------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Sorry, Kate! I wish they would narrow down the risk factors for PML

related to rituximab use. That would help a lot.

Not an MD

On Tue, Aug 25, 2009 at 8:26 PM, Fair<kalfoley@...> wrote:

> Yowza, , this is one of those articles that should be hidden from a

hypochondriac like me!

> Kate F