Antithymocyte globulin and cyclosporin in children with acquired aplastic anemia.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the responses to ATG and cyclosporin combination in patients of aplastic anemia.


METHODS
Twenty three (17M: 6F) patients of aplastic anemia (11 very severe aplastic anemia (VSAA) and 12 severe aplastic anemia (SAA), were administered antithymocyte globulin and cyclosporin.


RESULTS
The median age of patents was 8 years (range 6-12 years). Three patients died within 2 months of therapy. Twenty children (11 SAA and 9 VSAA) were finally analysed. Six months after the start of treatment, 8/20 (40%) patients responded-2 complete (CR) and 6 partial responses (PR). At the end of 1 year; 2 patients maintained CR and seven patients continued PR (overall responders 45%). The response was better in SAA (54.5%) with 2 CR and 4 PR; than in VSAA (33%) with 3 PR . Eleven (55%) children were alive without response. One patient developed AML 13 months later.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that antithymocyte globulin and cyclosporin combination is an effective treatment for aplastic anemia patients who are ineligible for bone marrow transplantation.
Chandra
Jagdish
J
Kalawati Saran Childrens Hospital, New Delhi, India. jchandra55@ yahoo.co.in
Naithani
Rahul
R
Ravi
Rakesh
R
Singh
Varinder
V
Narayan
Shashi
S
Sharma
Sunita
S
Pemde
Harish
H
Dutta
A K
AK
D000741:Anemia, Aplastic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine