Dexamethasone palmitate for children with Epstein-Barr virus associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

Epstein-Barr virus-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (EBV-HLH) has a wide range of clinical presentations and is sometimes life-threatening. It is often treated with systemic corticosteroids and etoposide, but no optimal treatment has been identified. Dexamethasone palmitate (DP) contains a combination of dexamethasone and a lipid emulsion and is selectively taken up by activated macrophages. Recently, a small case series reported the efficacy of dexamethasone palmitate (DP) in HLH. Here, we present the results of a nationwide survey in Japan detailing 14 cases of EBV-HLH treated with DP in children. One week after DP initiation, fever, cytopenia, and splenomegaly resolved in 77%, 38%, and 77% of patients (10, 5, and 10 of 13 patients, 1 missing). A 50% or greater reduction in ferritin levels was observed in 62% of patients (8 of 13 patients, 1 missing). In addition, the attending physician judged DP to be effective or partially effective in 12/14 (86%) patients. DP-related adverse events were uncommon, with only two infectious events reported. Thus, DP can be a therapeutic option for EBV-HLH.