Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease in fludarabine-treated B-chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD) is a rare but serious complication of blood component therapy in patients with haematological malignancies. B-chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL), however, has rarely been associated with TA-GVHD. We report three patients with advanced B-CLL who developed TA-GVHD. All these had been treated with fludarabine. Suppression of T cells by fludarabine may have contributed to an increased susceptibility to TA-GVHD. The use of irradiated blood products to prevent this complication should be considered for patients with advanced B-CLL treated with fludarabine or other purine analogues.