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Review
. 2021 Aug 1;43(6):e886-e890.
doi: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000001979.

Rasburicase-induced Methemoglobinemia: A Case Report and Literature Review

Ilaria Pirrone  1 , Piero Farruggia  2 , Francesca Cacciatore  1 , Antonino Giambona  3 , Angela Guarina  2 , Anna Paola Marcello  4 , Clara Mosa  2 , Simona Scalzo  1 , Paolo D'Angelo  2
Affiliations
Review

Rasburicase-induced Methemoglobinemia: A Case Report and Literature Review

Ilaria Pirrone et al. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. .

Abstract

Rasburicase is a recombinant urate oxidase enzyme indicated for tumor lysis syndrome, a potential life-threatening oncologic emergency that occurs most commonly during initial chemotherapy for hematological malignancies. As a result of the defects in the physiological antioxidant pathway, erythrocytes of patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency are not protected against the oxidizing stress exerted by hydrogen peroxide generated with the administration of rasburicase. The authors report a 14-year-old patient, diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, who developed methemoglobinemia and hemolytic anemia with low oxygen saturation after starting steroids, hyperhydratation, and rasburicase administration. The complications resolved with supportive therapy only.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

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MeSH terms