Acute granulocytic leukemia following systemic lupus erythematosus

Corticosteroids, alkylating agents, and other immunosuppressive drugs are currently being used to treat a variety of systemic diseases. An increased incidence of acute granulocytic leukemia (AGL) has been noted in patients receiving such therapy. It is unclear whether AGL is the direct consequence of drug treatment or whether it represents a new expression of the natural history of the primary disorder. This report describes two cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) treated with immunosuppressive agents. Acute granulocytic leukemia developed and was the underlying cause of death in both patients.