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Bendamustine associated with irreversible ascending paralysis.

Ashraf Alhafez1, Omar S Aljitawi, Tara L Lin

  • 1Internal Medicine Department, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA.

Case Reports in Hematology
|March 28, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Bendamustine, an alkylating agent for lymphoproliferative disorders, can cause neurotoxicity. This report details the first known case of irreversible ascending paralysis linked to bendamustine treatment.

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Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Neurology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Bendamustine is an alkylating agent used to treat lymphoproliferative disorders.
  • Adverse effects of bendamustine are documented, including rare instances of reversible neurotoxicity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report the first case of irreversible ascending paralysis associated with bendamustine therapy.
  • To highlight a previously undocumented severe neurological adverse effect of bendamustine.

Main Methods:

  • Case report detailing a patient's clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, and treatment course.
  • Review of existing literature on bendamustine-associated neurotoxicity.

Main Results:

  • The patient developed irreversible ascending paralysis following bendamustine administration.
  • This represents a novel and severe neurological complication of bendamustine treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Bendamustine can cause irreversible ascending paralysis, a serious neurological adverse effect.
  • Clinicians should be vigilant for neurological complications in patients treated with bendamustine.