Acute Myeloid Leukemia With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Rare Association or Coincidence

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disorder due to autoantibodies directed against nuclear and cytoplasmic antigens that may affect several different organs. The association of SLE and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is rare, the incidence of this combination is not known, but there are few case reports in the literature. We report here the case of a 62-year-old woman, admitted for aetiological diagnosis of weight loss and severe anemic syndrome. The blood count has objectified a pancytopenia with lymphopenia. A thorough assessment was carried out following which a diagnosis of AML associated to SLE was retained. The patient received a low dose of cytarabine due to comorbidities and poor performance status associated with steroids and she died three months after diagnosis with a septic shock.

A Rare Cause of Pancytopenia in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in a Young Patient

“…Taguchi et al reported a case of APML developing in the course of SLE, highlighting the diagnostic challenge and the need for vigilance in monitoring patients with SLE for the development of hematologic malignancies [ 7 ]. Additionally, Tahri et al discussed a rare association between AML and SLE, emphasizing the need for further exploration of this topic [ 8 ].…”