title: Long-term salvage treatment by cyclosporin in refractory autoimmune haematological disorders.
abstract: We report on long-term treatment (13-62 months) with cyclosporin A (CyA) in eight patients with autoimmune haematological disorders, resistant to all usual therapies. Three patients had an autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AHA); four an idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), and one an Evans syndrome. All patients were responsive: six achieved complete remission and two partial remission. The side-effects were moderate and transient. The majority of surviving patients remain dependent on continued drug administration. The CyA appears to be recommendable as a salvage treatment in life-threatening, resistant autoimmune haematological diseases.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Oncologiche e Radiologiche, Università di Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Emilia
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Messora
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Longo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bertesi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000744:Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011697:Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine