Lenalidomide: An Alternative Treatment for Refractory Behçet’s Disease and Relapsing Polychondritis
  • Sofia Gomes Brazao
    Internal Medicine, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra - Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
  • Jorge Crespo
    Internal Medicine, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra - Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
  • Armando Carvalho
    Internal Medicine, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra - Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

Keywords

Behçet’s disease, MAGIC syndrome, lenalidomide, aphtosis

Abstract

Introduction:Behçet’s disease (BD) is a chronic systemic condition characterized by recurrent oral and genital ulcers, neurological and vascular manifestations, ocular and skin lesions, and a positive pathergy test. Mouth and genital ulcers with inflamed cartilage (MAGIC) syndrome is rare and consists of features of BD together with relapsing polychondritis. The treatment of this syndrome is similar that of BD and depends on disease expression and symptoms.
Case Report: We report the case of a 50-year-old man diagnosed with BD with relapsing polychondritis (MAGIC syndrome) which had evolved over approximately 35 years, with exuberant and frequent oral and genital ulcers. Various treatments were unsuccessful and had adverse effects. Lenalidomide was initiated at a dose of 5 mg per day with remission of oral and genital ulcers and no haematological or adverse effects.
Conclusion: BD is a complex disorder with a variety of presentations. Its treatment can be challenging but sometimes off-label drugs, like lenalidomide, can be effective.

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    Published: 2019-05-31
    Issue: Vol 6 No 6 (view)

    How to cite:
    1.
    Brazao SG, Crespo J, Carvalho A. Lenalidomide: An Alternative Treatment for Refractory Behçet’s Disease and Relapsing Polychondritis. EJCRIM 2019;6 doi:10.12890/2019_001117.

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