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Open Access Highly Accessed Case Report

Complete remission of primary plasma cell leukemia with bortezomib, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone: a case report

Steven M Chan1, Tracy George2, Athena M Cherry2 and Bruno C Medeiros1*

Author Affiliations

1 Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA

2 Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA

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Cases Journal 2009, 2:121 doi:10.1186/1757-1626-2-121

Published: 4 February 2009

Abstract

Background

Plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder considered to be a variant of multiple myeloma. It is an aggressive disease with a poor clinical response to standard chemotherapeutic agents.

Case presentation

A novel regimen consisting of bortezomib, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone is currently under active evaluation for the treatment of multiple myeloma. We employed this combination as front-line chemoinduction therapy for a case of primary PCL.

Conclusion

Complete remission was achieved with rapid normalization of hematologic parameters. The combination of bortezomib, doxorubicin and dexamethasone demonstrates promise in the treatment of PCL.