[Autoimmune hemolytic anemia induced by alpha-interferon therapy in a case of IgG-kappa type multiple myeloma]

K Onoda1, K Takai, M Sanada

  • 1Department of Hematology, Niigata City General Hospital.

A 47-year-old male case of IgG-kappa type multiple myeloma was treated with VMCP and recombinant human alpha-interferon (IFN-alpha 2a). The direct Coombs test was positive before treatment. Hemolytic anemia associated with massive hematuria was observed during the administration of 9 million IU IFN-alpha 2a per day for 2 weeks. The hemolytic symptoms rapidly improved after withdrawal of IFN-alpha 2a. This clinical course suggests that IFN-alpha as an immunomodulator was responsible for the progression of autoimmune hemolytic anemia in a case of multiple myeloma.

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