Reactive Histiocytosis During Initial Remission Induction Therapy for Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia

Abstract

Six of 14 patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) complicated reactive histiocytosis during initial remission induction therapy. All six patients had a high fever without signs of infection during initial chemotherapy, and periods of myelosuppression were prolonged. Histiocytes with a mature appearance, some of which phagocyted erythrocytes, thrombocytes or neutrophils, increased in the bone marrow. All of 3 patients tested showed high serum levels of ferritin. Two of 3 patients treated with 125 mg/day methylprednisolone achieved complete remission. In the remaining 3 patients, one patient achieved complete remission, but the others died of fungal pneumonia or sepsis. Thus, reactive histiocytosis is one of the severe complications in patients with AML undergoing chemotherapy.