title: Response to pyridoxine hydrochloride in refractory anemia due to myelofibrosis.
abstract: Eleven of 14 patients with primary myelofibrosis were given a therapeutic trial with 250 mg of pyridoxine hydrochloride daily because of refractory anemia. The effect on the hemoglobin level and the hematocrit value was studied and compared to that in a group of untreated patients with the same degree of anemia. Six of 11 treated patients responded within three months with a rise in the hemoglobin level (at least 3 g/100 ml) and/or an increase in the hematocrit value (at least 10 per cent), and transfusions were no longer required. Deliberate discontinuation of pyridoxine treatment in one responding patient was followed by a relapse of the anemia; resumption of therapy once again induced an erythropoietic response. Spontaneous remissions of anemia were not observed in the untreated group. It is concluded that a trial with pyridoxine is warranted in patients with myelofibrosis and refractory anemia.
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055728:Primary Myelofibrosis / Q000150:complications*; D011736:Pyridoxine / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D011736:Pyridoxine