Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Early T-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ETP-ALL) is a rare subtype of T-cell leukemia that phenotypically expresses mature T-cell markers and immature myeloid markers such as CD33. Gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO) is a novel agent for the CD33 molecular targeting antibody conjugated to the cytotoxic agent calicheamicin. GO is anticipated to be effective against ETP-ALL. In vivo studies promise antileukemic effects in cell lines; however, clinical reports to support this research are lacking. We treated a patient who suffered from CD33-positive ETP-ALL using GO. CASE PRESENTATION: We treated an 81-year-old man who suffered from ETP-ALL. The patient's leukemia expressed T cell and myeloid markers including cyCD3, CD5, CD7, CD33, and HLA-DR. Initially, the patient was treated using a standard chemotherapy regimen for acute lymphoblastic leukemia comprising cyclophosphamide, daunorubicin, vincristine, l-asparaginase, and prednisolone. The induction chemotherapy produced the expected complete hematological response; however, bone marrow blasts remained. Following consolidation chemotherapy, the patient maintained a full hematological response. Thereafter, we changed the consolidation regimen to nelarabine, which did not reduce bone marrow blasts effectively. After two courses of nelarabine therapy, we finally used GO at an 8 mg/m(2) weekly dose after confirming that CD33 expression was still positive in the patient's residual leukemic cells. GO was ineffective in treating the patient's leukemia, and peripheral blasts increased 30 days following treatment. The patient died 81 days after initiating GO therapy. CONCLUSION: This is the first clinical case of GO having a negative impact on ETP-ALL. Because the GO resistance mechanism for ETP-ALL has not been fully elucidated, treatment modification should be considered to achieve optimal clinical efficacy.