The benefit of ATG in immunosuppressive therapy of children with moderate aplastic anemia.
BACKGROUND
Previous studies specifically focused on the immunosuppressive therapy (IST) of children with moderate aplastic anemia (MAA) are rare. The aim of this study was to evaluate the advantage of using antithymocyte globulin (ATG) in the IST and its outcome of children with MAA.


METHODS
Forty-two children diagnosed with moderate aplastic anemia from 1993 to 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. Eighteen patients treated with ATG, cyclosporin A (CSA), and androgen are defined as the ATG group, the other 24 patients treated with CSA and androgen are defined as the non-ATG group. Survival and hematological response of the two groups were studied.


RESULTS
Response rate and transfusion-independent survival of the ATG group were both significantly higher than those of the non-ATG group (83.33 vs. 41.7%, p = .006; and 83.33 vs. 50%, p = .043, respectively). Compared with non-ATG group, fewer patients in ATG group progress to severe aplastic anemia (p = .03).


CONCLUSIONS
Immunosuppressive therapy including ATG benefits children with moderate aplastic anemia.
Jiang
Shayi
S
Department of Pediatric, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University, Shang Hai, China.
Wang
Yaoping
Y
Shi
Wei
W
Shao
Yuexia
Y
Qiao
Xiaohong
X
Lin
Jieliang
J
Kuang
Hanqin
H
Xie
Xiaotian
X
D000293:Adolescent; D000728:Androgens / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000741:Anemia, Aplastic / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000728:Androgens; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D008775:Methylprednisolone