Cyclosporin-A therapy of pure red cell aplasia in a patient with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Eur J Haematol. 1989 Mar;42(3):303-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0609.1989.tb00117.x.

Abstract

A 65-year-old woman with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is described. After initial chemotherapy with three different regimens over 3 months (prednisone, chlorambucil/vincristine, cyclophosphamide, bleomycin/cyclophosphamide, etoposide, prednisone), normalization of the blood lymphocyte count was observed, but lymphocyte infiltration of the bone marrow persisted and erythropoiesis remained virtually absent. Monotherapy with cyclosporin-A (CyA) was begun. After 35 days, a marked increase in the reticulocyte count was observed, and with continuing therapy, there was a rapid increase in the hemoglobin level. Follow-up after 13 months of uninterrupted treatment with CyA revealed remission of both CLL and PRCA. CyA should be investigated further as a therapeutic modality for PRCA in patients with CLL, and such trials might provide further clues to the pathogenesis of this peculiar association.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Cyclosporins / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / drug therapy*
  • Red-Cell Aplasia, Pure / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Cyclosporins