Management of cyclosporine overdose in a hematopoietic stem cell transplant patient with sequential plasma exchange and red blood cell exchange

Abstract

Cyclosporine is commonly used as an immunosuppressive agent in both solid organ and bone marrow transplant. While used for graft rejection in organ transplantation, cyclosporine has been used to enable tolerance and for prevention of acute graft-versus-host disease in bone marrow transplant [Ratanatharathorn et al., Blood 1998;92:2303-2314]. Cyclosporine has a narrow therapeutic window, and many patients develop some level of toxicity even within the therapeutic range. Common toxicities include hypertension, nephrotoxicity, electrolyte abnormalities, hyperglycemia, and neurotoxicity [Woo et al., Bone Marrow Transplant 1997;20:1095-1098]. Management of cyclosporine toxicity is not clearly defined and is primarily supportive in nature. In cases of significant elevations of cyclosporine levels, limited data are available but suggest that whole blood exchange may be effective [Kwon et al., J Heart Lung Transplant 2006;25:483-485; Leitner et al., Transplantation 2003;75:1764-1765]. We present a case of successful rapid clearance of cyclosporine utilizing a combined approach of red cell exchange and plasma exchange.