Treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) in a patient with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria: evaluation of membrane proteins CD55 and CD59 with cytofluorometric assay.
We describe a 28-year-old man with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) and a high transfusion requirement. Prior to and during therapy with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo), we evaluated the levels of 'decay-accelerating-factor', CD55, and 'membrane-inhibitor-of-reactive-lysis', CD59, as markers of the disease, whilst CD58, a marker present on leucocytes, was utilized to monitor normal haemopoietic activity. The patient became transfusion independent 1 month after beginning rHuEpo and remains well. The analysis of CD55, CD59 and CD58 suggests that the efficacy of rHuEpo was due to a selective rHuEpo action on normal erythroid clones.
Astori
C
C
Institute of Haematology, University of Pavia, I.R.C.C.S. Policlinico S. Matteo, Italy.
Bonfichi
M
M
Pagnucco
G
G
Bernasconi
P
P
Lazzarino
M
M
Orlandi
E
E
Bernasconi
C
C
D000328:Adult; D018958:CD55 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D018968:CD58 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D018957:CD59 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006457:Hemoglobinuria, Paroxysmal / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
D018958:CD55 Antigens; D018968:CD58 Antigens; D018957:CD59 Antigens; D004921:Erythropoietin