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Case Reports
. 2025 Feb 24;17(2):11.
doi: 10.3390/hematolrep17020011.

Feasibility of Intensive Chemotherapy in Hereditary Spherocytosis

Carrai Valentina  1 , Giubbilei Cristina  1 , Ciceri Manuel  1 , D'Angelo Simona  1 , Nassi Luca  1 , Sordi Benedetta  1 , Vannucchi Alessandro Maria  1   2 , Puccini Benedetta  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Feasibility of Intensive Chemotherapy in Hereditary Spherocytosis

Carrai Valentina et al. Hematol Rep. .

Abstract

Background: This study presents a young man with hereditary spherocytosis (HS) who underwent intensive chemotherapy for newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and achieved complete remission. This case challenges the idea of HS as a barrier to standard DLBCL treatment.

Discussion: By meticulously monitoring blood counts and providing timely transfusions, the team successfully mitigated potential complications associated with chemotherapy-induced stress on red blood cells.

Conclusions: This experience underscores the importance of a multidisciplinary approach and tailored treatment plans for patients with co-existing conditions, suggesting that HS should not automatically disqualify them from potentially curative therapies for aggressive lymphomas.

Keywords: chemotherapy; diffuse large B cell lymphoma; hereditary spherocytosis; rare disorders.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Patient’s ektacytometry pattern showing typical red blood cell deformability with downward shift.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Hemoglobin nadirs coinciding with RBC transfusions. On x-axis, chemotherapy cycles are reported: Roman numerals indicate cycles (e.g., I, II, etc.), while Arabic numerals represent days from end of cycle (+2, +4, etc.). CHOP: Cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone; MTX: Methotrexate.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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