Reversal of transfusion dependence by tumor necrosis factor inhibitor treatment in a patient with concurrent rheumatoid arthritis and primary myelofibrosis
Case report published in Journal of clinical rheumatology : practical reports on rheumatic & musculoskeletal diseases (2011)
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) is a proinflammatory cytokine with pleiotropic effects. Currently, TNF-α inhibitors are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for a number of diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn disease, and ulcerative colitis. We report a patient with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis with concurrent primary myelofibrosis, who had transfusion-dependent anemia and moderate thrombocytopenia that reversed during treatment with adalimumab. Rheumatoid arthritis and myeloproliferative disorder or myelodysplastic disorder often coexist, and treatment with standard immunosuppressants becomes complex. This report adds to the accumulating evidence of the safety of TNF-α inhibitors when primary myelofibrosis is present and generates discussion for further exploration of the potential therapeutic benefit of TNF-α inhibitors in cytopenias associated with primary myelofibrosis.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-) is a proinflammatory cytokine with pleiotropic effects.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este reporte de caso describe a un paciente con artritis reumatoide seropositiva y mielofibrosis primaria concomitantes, cuya anemia dependiente de transfusión y trombocitopenia moderada revirtieron durante el tratamiento con adalimumab, un inhibidor del factor de necrosis tumoral alfa (TNF-α). El reporte se suma a la evidencia acumulada sobre la seguridad de los inhibidores del TNF-α cuando concurre mielofibrosis primaria y genera discusión sobre su potencial beneficio terapéutico para las citopenias asociadas con la afección. El resumen no aporta datos sobre sanguijuelas, hirudoterapia, hirudina ni ningún componente del secretoma de la sanguijuela, ni aborda la anticoagulación ni mecanismos terapéuticos relacionados. Por lo tanto, este artículo no tiene relevancia aparente para la Sociedad Americana de Hirudoterapia según su resumen.
Citación
Reversal of transfusion dependence by tumor necrosis factor inhibitor treatment in a patient with concurrent rheumatoid arthritis and primary myelofibrosis
Ong A et al. · Journal of clinical rheumatology : practical reports on rheumatic & musculoskeletal diseases, 2011
Contexto clínico relacionado
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: 18 de junio de 2026