Your browser version may not work well with NCBI's Web applications. More information here...
1: Ann Oncol. 2001 Nov;12(11):1651-2.Click here to read Links

Gemcitabine-induced systemic capillary leak syndrome.

De Pas T, Curigliano G, Franceschelli L, Catania C, Spaggiari L, de Braud F.

Division of Medical Oncology,European Institute of Oncology, Milano, Italy. tommaso.de-pas@ieo.it

Systemic capillary leak syndrome (SCLS) is a rare disorder with a high mortality rate, characterized by rapidly developing edema, weight gain and hypotension, hemoconcentration and hypoproteinemia. This syndrome is caused by sudden, reversible capillary hyperpermeability with a rapid extravasation of plasma from the intravascular to the interstitial space. Even though SCLS has been suggested to be the pathogenic mechanism for the pulmonary toxicity of gemcitabine (GCB), a new deoxycytidine analogue with structural similarities to cytosine arabinoside, a direct correlation between GCB and SCLS has never been reported. We describe a case of repeated SCLS after GCB administration in a 51-year-old male with locally-advanced non-small-cell lung cancer treated with a combination of cisplatin and GCB. The detection of GCB-induced SCLS supports the hypothesis that SCLS could be the pathogenic way of GCB pulmonary toxicity. This finding can help to better understand and treat the potentially deadly GCB-related acute respiratory distress syndrome that is being recognized.

PMID: 11822767 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Patient Drug Information

  • Cisplatin (Platinol®-AQ)

    Your doctor has ordered the drug cisplatin to help treat your illness. The drug is given by injection into a vein.

  • Source: AHFS Consumer Medication Information