Carboplatin Induced Fatal Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia: First Reported Case

Carboplatin is an alkylating anti-neoplastic drug used in various cancers especially ovarian cancer, germ cell tumors, endometrial cancer besides others. We present a case of acute autoimmune hemolytic anemia during Carboplatin infusion in a patient previously exposed to the drug, resulting in the death of the patient. Published reports of Carboplatin induced autoimmune hemolytic anemia suggest these are usually nonfatal and improve after discontinuation of the drug. Fatal autoimmune hemolysis from Carboplatin has not been reported to the best of our knowledge. A 77-year-old Caucasian lady with history of endometrial adenocarcinoma was receiving treatment with a combination of Carboplatin and Paclitaxel for recurrent adenocarcinoma presenting as a pelvic mass. She tolerated similar chemotherapy previously, except for mild side effects. During her fifth cycle of chemotherapy with Carboplatin, she suddenly collapsed in the infusion center. Despite aggressive treatment, she expired within seven hours. A direct Coomb’s test was found to be positive. Carboplatin dependent antibody was also detected. She was felt to have had a Carboplatin-induced fatal hemolytic anemia. Acute autoimmune hemolytic anemia with Carboplatin is rare but could be a devastating complication. A sudden drop in hemoglobin during Carboplatin infusion should alert clinicians of this extremely fatal possibility.