title: Complete resolution of pure red cell aplasia in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia following antithymocyte globulin therapy.
abstract: Pure red cell aplasia has been reported to be associated with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. It has been proposed that this complication may be a result of T-cell populations that suppress erythropoiesis. It has been postulated that antithymocyte globulin might reverse this abnormality by eliminating the population of suppressor T cells responsible for this inhibition. We treated a 74-year-old man who had B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia and pure red cell aplasia that was refractory to cytotoxic and corticosteroid therapy with equine antithymocyte globulin and methylprednisolone sodium succinate. This therapy resulted in a durable complete remission of both the chronic lymphocytic leukemia and the pure red cell aplasia and was associated with normalization of helper/suppressor T-cell ratios in the bone marrow. Antithymocyte globulin should be investigated further as a therapeutic modality for patients with pure red cell aplasia associated with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008776:Methylprednisolone Hemisuccinate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012010:Red-Cell Aplasia, Pure / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum; D008776:Methylprednisolone Hemisuccinate