BACKGROUND Autoimmune phenomena are well known to complicate chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and occur in 10% to 25% of the cases. Although less common, non-hematological autoimmune manifestations have been reported.… Click to show full abstract
BACKGROUND Autoimmune phenomena are well known to complicate chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and occur in 10% to 25% of the cases. Although less common, non-hematological autoimmune manifestations have been reported. Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease of the neuromuscular junction, characterized by fatigable weakness of the extraocular, bulbar, and limb musculature. The co-existence of MG and CLL is exceedingly rare and there are very few cases reported in literature. CASE PRESENTATION We present a case of a 63-year-old female patient with a severe form of MG which is likely related to a relapse of CLL. Treatment with combined targeted and immunotherapy was initiated with acceptable tolerability. CONCLUSIONS Targeted agents and monoclonal antibodies exert complex activities on the patient's immune system. It will be of interest to assess their role in managing autoimmune complications, accompanying CLL.
               
Click one of the above tabs to view related content.