A 55-year-old male was admitted to our hospital with lymphadenopathy and high fever in January, 1978. Lymphocytic predominant type of Hodgkin's disease was revealed by the biopsy. He was treated with 4 times of combination chemotherapy, VEMP, and next 4 times treated with VENP. OK-432 has been added on the therapy since March. After these therapy, lymphadenopathy disappered except for 2 lymph nodes of left neck. As localy treatment, 5 or 10 KE of OK-432 were injected into these two lymph nodes. Two weeks later, by the biopsy, amyloidosis was revealed with a few of Hodgkin cells in these lymph nodes treated with OK-432. However, histologicaly same findings were observed in axillar and inguinal lymph nodes. Moreover, amyloid deposit was revealed in rectal muscle, but not in liver tissue. After the treatment of more 4 times of VENP, all lymphadenopathy disappeared.
Several causes are suspected to explain amyloidosis in this case as follows:
1) The same immunological abnormality which is suspected to induce Hodgkin's disease.
2) Reduced immune response with Hodgkin's disease and/or following combination chemotherapy.
3) Side effect of OK-432.
