Leflunomide therapy for refractory cytomegalovirus infections in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.

Background: Currently, there are no prospective, randomized trials analyzing leflunomide for the treatment of cytomegalovirus infection or disease in allogeneic stem cell transplant patients.

Objective: The primary objective of this case series was to determine the clinical and virological responses of utilizing leflunomide as therapy for refractory cytomegalovirus infections, unresponsive to first-line therapy in allogeneic stem cell transplant patients. Additionally, patient and leflunomide specific characteristics were identified and determined in this descriptive case series.