Is mylotarg ( gemtuzumab ozogamicin ) therapy associated with hepatic venoocclusive disease in patients who have not received stem cell transplantation?
Mylotarg was shown to be associated with the development of potentially fatal VOD in patients with leukemia who had not received SCT. VOD occurred when Mylotarg was used either as a single agent or when it was given with other cytotoxic agents. VOD occurred in Mylotarg-treated patients who had received no prior cytotoxic therapy. The current study concluded that risk factors for VOD should be assessed when considering Mylotarg therapy, and that attempts to avoid and treat VOD are warranted in patients who receive Mylotarg therapy.
These results suggest that reduced CDKN2B expression and increased smooth muscle cell apoptosis may be one mechanism underlying the 9p21.3 association with aneurysmal disease.