Tagraxofusp Treatment: Implications for Patients With Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm presenting as violaceous forehead plaque

“…However, tagraxofusp is far from benign with potential for severe side effects including capillary leak syndrome, hepatic dysfunction, and thrombocytopenia, two of which were seen in our patient [8]. Capillary leak syndrome, in particular, may be fatal and may present with hypoalbuminemia, weight gain, edema, hypotension, or hemodynamic instability [8,9]. These signs and symptoms should be monitored in patients taking tagraxofusp for their BPDCN.…”

“…When tagraxofusp binds to CD123 on the pDC surface, the diptheria toxin is internalized, halts protein synthesis, and induces apoptosis [9]. In one clinical trial involving 47 patients, previously untreated individuals had a 90% overall response rate and previously treated individuals had a 67% overall response rate, leading to a meaningful increase in survival [8].…”