title: Antilymphocyte globulin (ALG) or antithymocyte globulin (ATG) with methylprednisone and oxymethalone in aplastic anaemia.
abstract: From 1986 to 1994 we treated 26 patients of aplastic anaemia between 6 to 61 years age group with ATG/ALG, Methylprednisone and Oxymethalone. Five had very severe aplastic anaemia, 16 had severe and 5 nonsevere disease. Disease was associated with hepatitis in 5 patients and with pregnancy and drug use in 2 patients each. In others no cause could be ascertained. A total of 31 courses of treatment were given (range 1-3 courses per patient). Nine patients had complete response (34.62%) and 3 had partial response (11.54%) with an overall response rate of 46.16%. Four patients died within 2 months of starting the treatment. The median follow up was 24 months (range 6-102 months) with an overall survival probality of 45% at 2 yr. At the time of evaluation 12 patients have died, 9 are alive disease-free and 5 are alive with disease. The side effects associated with therapy were tolerable and did not require cessation of therapy in any patient. We conclude that ATG/ALG with Methylprednisone and Oxymethalone is beneficial to significant number of patients with aplastic anaemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kulkarni
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Sastry
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Saikia
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Parikh
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gopal
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Nair
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Advani
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000741:Anemia, Aplastic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010110:Oxymetholone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D045930:Anabolic Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D010110:Oxymetholone; D008775:Methylprednisolone