Reduced dose maintenance eculizumab in atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS): an update on a previous case report

Abstract

Maro Ohanian, Christian Cable, Kathleen Halka Department of Hematology/Oncology, Scott & White Healthcare and The Texas A&M Health Science Center, College of Medicine, Temple, TX, USA Objective: To describe how maintenance eculizumab sustains improved renal function in severe atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). Case report: A previously described 50-year-old woman with aHUS had a remarkable recovery with eculizumab, which safely reversed profound neurologic damage and eliminated the need for dialysis. Her recovery has been sustained on long-term eculizumab treatment. She initially received eculizumab 900 mg weekly for four doses. On week 5 she commenced maintenance therapy starting at 1200 mg every 2 weeks. Due to nausea and vomiting at that dose, the maintenance dosing was reduced to 600 mg weekly, beginning on dose seven. After receiving 600 mg weekly for nine doses, eculizumab was then reduced to 600 mg every 2 weeks, with continued improvement in renal function. This dosing is lower than the usual 1200 mg every 2 weeks described in the adult literature and used in current clinical trials of aHUS. Conclusion: Six months after the initial diagnosis, our patient continues to have improved renal function on maintenance doses of eculizumab as low as 600 mg every 2 weeks. Keywords: eculizumab, aHUS, thrombotic microangiopathy, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome