# Hyperleukocytosis in a Patient With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia and HIV: A Case Report

**Authors:** Javier B Chambi-Torres, Adriana Penate Armesto, Temilola O Majekodunmi, Sohair Angly, George Michel

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.100700 · Cureus · 2026-01-03

## TL;DR

A patient with both CML and HIV experienced severe hyperleukocytosis, managed through a combination of therapies and multidisciplinary care.

## Contribution

This case highlights the successful management of CML and HIV co-treatment through tailored therapy and rapid intervention.

## Key findings

- Hyperleukocytosis was managed using leukapheresis, hydroxyurea, and dasatinib.
- Multidisciplinary coordination improved outcomes in a patient with CML and HIV.
- Dasatinib showed potential therapeutic effects for both CML and HIV.

## Abstract

The coexistence of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) presents a unique clinical challenge due to potential drug interactions and compounded side effects. This case report discusses a 55-year-old male with HIV and poorly managed CML, who presented with severe hyperleukocytosis. Potential leukostasis was managed using leukapheresis, hydroxyurea, and continued antiretroviral therapy before initiating dasatinib (a tyrosine kinase inhibitor), given its therapeutic effect on CML and potential properties to target HIV infection. This approach underscores the importance of rapid intervention, cytoreduction, and careful selection of therapy to minimize complications. Multidisciplinary coordination allowed for successful management, balancing leukemia and HIV treatment needs. This case emphasizes the complexity of CML-HIV co-treatment and the importance of tailored therapy, highlighting the need for further research on dual therapy impacts to improve outcomes and quality of life in co-infected patients.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** hydroxyurea (PubChem CID 3657), dasatinib (PubChem CID 3062316)
- **Diseases:** chronic myeloid leukemia (MONDO:0011996)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** TXK (TXK tyrosine kinase) [NCBI Gene 7294] {aka BTKL, PSCTK5, PTK4, RLK, TKL}
- **Diseases:** leukemia (MESH:D007938), HIV infection (MESH:D015658), infected (MESH:D007239), co (MESH:D060085), CML (MESH:D015464)
- **Chemicals:** hydroxyurea (MESH:D006918), dasatinib (MESH:D000069439)
- **Species:** Human immunodeficiency virus (species) [taxon 12721], Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

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## References

20 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12863451/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12863451