Cyclophosphamide-induced seizures in a patient with neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE): A case report

Lingshu Zhang; Ying Shi; Jingyao Zhang; Jing Wu; Wei Jiang

doi:10.3389/fimmu.2023.1122629

Frontiers in Immunology (Mar 2023)

Cyclophosphamide-induced seizures in a patient with neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE): A case report

Lingshu Zhang,
Ying Shi,
Jingyao Zhang,
Jing Wu,
Wei Jiang

Affiliations

Lingshu Zhang: Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
Ying Shi: Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Ninth People’s Hospital of Chongqing, Chongqing, China
Jingyao Zhang: Core Facilities of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
Jing Wu: Internal Medicine Department, Xihua University Hospital, Chengdu, China
Wei Jiang: Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Ninth People’s Hospital of Chongqing, Chongqing, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1122629
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 14

Abstract

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Seizures are life-threatening complications of neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) and are often associated with poor outcomes. Cyclophosphamide immunotherapy is the mainstay of NPSLE treatment. We report the unique case of a patient with NPSLE who developed seizures soon after her first and second doses of low-dose cyclophosphamide. The exact pathophysiological mechanism underlying cyclophosphamide-induced seizures is not well understood. However, this unusual drug-associated side effect of cyclophosphamide is thought to be due to the drug’s unique pharmacology. Clinicians should be aware of this complication to make a correct diagnosis and adjust the immunosuppressive regimens very carefully.

Published in Frontiers in Immunology

ISSN: 1664-3224 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Specialties of internal medicine: Immunologic diseases. Allergy
Website: http://journal.frontiersin.org/journal/immunology

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