Retreatment with full-dose cytarabine in a patient with previous neurological toxicity

Abstract

Introduction Cytarabine is one of the main chemotherapy drugs used to treat hematological malignancies. Neurotoxicity is an increasingly recognized adverse effect of high-dose cytarabine therapy and occurs in 10% to 25% of patients. There is very little experience with cytarabine retreatment following neurotoxicity. Case report We report a case of a man who was diagnosed with chemotherapy-induced cerebellar syndrome. He was treated with high doses of cytarabine. Management and outcome The patient was successfully retreated at full dose after experiencing cytarabine-induced cerebellar toxicity during the first cycle of a chemotherapy regimen. He did not develop any neurological complications and successfully underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. He is currently in complete remission and free of disease. Discussion This original case report assesses the possibility of retreatment without the need for dose reduction.