Effectiveness of low dose cyclosporine in acquired aplastic anaemia with severe neutropenia.
Six patients with acquired aplastic anaemia were treated with cyclosporine (5 mg/kg/day) either alone or in combination with corticosteroids. A favourable response was observed in 4, including 2 patients presenting with an absolute granulocyte count of less than 0.2 x 10(9)/l. The 6th patient showed no effect after 6 wk of therapy and was thereafter successfully treated with anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG). Side effects of cyclosporine therapy were minimal (maximum follow-up 20 months). Temporary discontinuation of the drug in 1 patient resulted in a relapse which responded to reinstitution of therapy. Our results indicate that cyclosporine may be an effective, well-tolerated agent in acquired aplastic anaemia even in previously untreated patients with severe neutropenia.
Leeksma
O C
OC
Department of Haematology, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Thomas
L L
LL
van der Lelie
J
J
van Oers
M H
MH
von dem Borne
A E
AE
Goudsmit
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000741:Anemia, Aplastic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000150:complications; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D016572:Cyclosporine; D011239:Prednisolone; D011241:Prednisone