title: Late spontaneous remissions in severe adult autoimmune thrombocytopenia.
abstract: We report on four cases (three women, one man, age at diagnosis 26-61 years) with severe autoimmune thrombocytopenia (AITP) who were refractory to initial steroid therapy (n = 4), to subsequent splenectomy (n = 2), azathioprine (n = 1), and cyclosporine (n = 1). Over years they received low-dose continuous or intermittent steroid therapy. After 6 to 31 years these patients achieved a "spontaneous" complete remission (CR) (n = 3) or partial remission (PR) (n = 1) unrelated to any specific second or third line treatment; CR/PR are sustained for 0.5+ to 9+ years. These data indicate that spontaneous remissions may occur in AITP even after a long duration of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology and Hemostaseology, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna, 1090, Austria.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Simanek
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Panzer
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lechner
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pabinger
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000628:therapy; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D013156:Splenectomy; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D001379:Azathioprine