The role of circulating immune complexes and biocompatibility of staphylococcal protein A immunoadsorption in mitomycin C-induced hemolytic uremic syndrome

Am J Kidney Dis. 2004 Oct;44(4):e50-8.

Abstract

Mitomycin-induced hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a life-threatening complication of this therapy, and increased levels of circulating immune complexes and hypocomplementemia have been found in some patients. We further characterize the role of immune complexes in mitomycin-HUS by showing that removal of these complexes by immunoadsorption with staphylococcal protein A columns correlates with temporal improvement in the microangiopathic hemolytic anemia in this disorder. Two immune complexes bound to the protein A column were identified: an 11S platelet-aggregating protein and a 15S non-platelet-aggregating protein. In addition, the patient had anaphylactoid reactions at the onset of immunoadsorption similar to first-use dialysis reactions that correlated with increases in complement 3a and 5a, interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor levels. This case suggests that platelet-aggregating and complement-fixing circulating immune complexes are, in part, a proximate cause for mitomycin C-induced HUS. Therapy for mitomycin (HUS) with protein A columns should continue until circulating immune complexes reach undetectable levels and serum complement levels return to the normal range.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anaphylaxis / immunology
  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / adverse effects*
  • Antigen-Antibody Complex / immunology*
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Female
  • Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / chemically induced
  • Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / immunology*
  • Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Immunosorbent Techniques*
  • Middle Aged
  • Mitomycin / adverse effects*
  • Staphylococcal Protein A / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
  • Antigen-Antibody Complex
  • Cytokines
  • Staphylococcal Protein A
  • Mitomycin