title: Deferasirox treatment improved hematopoiesis and led to complete remission in a patient with pure red cell aplasia.
abstract: A 64-year-old woman developed pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) 4 years after thymectomy for thymoma. During anti-thymocyte globulin treatment, the patient developed cytomegalovirus pneumonia and was thus unable to continue immunosuppressive therapy and became transfusion dependent. Deferasirox was started for treatment with iron overload when serum ferritin increased to >1000 ng/mL. Seven months after initiation of deferasirox treatment, serum ferritin level decreased the normal range and the patient has remained transfusion independent thereafter. Deferasirox was discontinued when serum ferritin level decreased below 500 ng/mL, and she has maintained in complete remission over the last 15 months. Hypotheses have been raised regarding the improvement of hematopoiesis by deferasirox treatment, but the mechanism whereby this might be achieved remains unclear. Deferasirox treatment may be clinically beneficial both by reducing iron overload and by improving hematopoiesis in patients with PRCA.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa, 259-1143, Japan, kojima@tokai-u.jp.
authors.forename: Minoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kojima
authors.forename: Shinichiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Machida
authors.forename: Ai
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: Mitsuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miyamoto
authors.forename: Makiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moriuchi
authors.forename: Yoshiaki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ohbayashi
authors.forename: Kiyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ando
mesh_terms: D001565:Benzoates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077588:Deferasirox; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion; D004920:Erythropoiesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012010:Red-Cell Aplasia, Pure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014230:Triazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D001565:Benzoates; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents; D014230:Triazoles; D000077588:Deferasirox