Successful treatment of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis associated with low-risk myelodysplastic syndrome by azacitidine

Abstract

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a life-threatening syndrome that occurs as a complication in many clinical settings. Malignancy-associated HLH develops in patients with hematopoietic neoplasms, particularly in those with lymphoma, and its development in those with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is uncommon. We herein report a case of HLH in a patient with low-risk MDS that was successfully treated with azacitidine. The prevalence of immune abnormalities among MDS patients and the immune effects of azacitidine have recently been elucidated, suggesting that MDS-associated HLH occurs as a result of immune impairment, and azacitidine improves this condition by restoring the immune system.