Refractory evans syndrome after autologous stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma: Management with a second transplantation

Abstract

The development of autoimmune disease after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is very rare in multiple myeloma (MM). We describe the first case of Evans syndrome after ASCT for MM. A 60-year-old man with MM received ASCT and subsequently developed Evans syndrome following two febrile episodes. The syndrome was refractory to conventional therapies but it was managed with a second ASCT. This unique complication was thought to have been triggered by an infection during the recovery of the immune system. We assumed that reconstructing the immune system via ASCT might eliminate infection-induced autoantibodies to platelets and erythrocytes. © 2010 The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine.