Upfront Low-Dose Cytarabine with Prednisolone for Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis with Liver Dysfunction: A Ray of Hope

Abstract

AbstractThe management of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) with accompanying liver dysfunction poses significant challenges, and this prompted the development of a modified low-dose cytarabine and prednisolone regimen. In this prospective observational study on children with LCH and liver dysfunction, four patients underwent induction and maintenance chemotherapy. The induction phase included 5 days of 100 mg/m2 cytarabine and 4 weeks of 40 mg/m2 daily prednisolone, with subsequent tapering. Maintenance included a regimen of 5 days of 100 mg/m2 cytarabine, along with oral prednisolone, repeated every 3 weeks. Complete disease resolution occurred after varying chemotherapy cycles. Three patients had liver transplants, and the chemotherapy resumed for 52 weeks after the transplant. In one child, chemotherapy was continued after reaching remission. In conclusion, a modified, less toxic low-dose cytarabine-based chemotherapy effectively managed LCH with liver dysfunction, with liver transplantation as a postremission treatment option.