[Immunosuppressive therapy in panmyelopathy. Experiences with various forms of therapy in 42 patients]

Dtsch Med Wochenschr. 1987 Apr 3;112(14):535-41. doi: 10.1055/s-2008-1068090.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Immunosuppressive treatment according to four different regimens was administered over the course of eight years to 42 patients with aplastic anemia. With treatment protocols which included horse-ALG and horse-ATG, remissions were achieved in most patients, while with rabbit-ATG improvement was obtained, but only minimally, in 15 patients. First results with Cyclosporin A confirmed the effectiveness of this immunosuppressive agent in the treatment of aplastic anemia. The development of remission was, independently of treatment schedule, recognizable 23-88 days after onset of treatment. Often only partial remission was achieved. The long-term course, especially also survival, correlated with the results achieved within the first three months after onset of treatment. Recurrences occurred in 19% of patients but responded to repeated immunosuppressive treatment if preceded by complete remission. Side-effects to ALG and ATG occurred only during the first two weeks and were easily controllable. In some cases Cyclosporin A led to subjectively distressing side-effects.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Anemia, Aplastic / mortality
  • Anemia, Aplastic / therapy*
  • Animals
  • Antilymphocyte Serum / therapeutic use
  • Cyclosporins / therapeutic use
  • Horses / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Prognosis
  • Rabbits / immunology
  • Thymus Gland / immunology

Substances

  • Antilymphocyte Serum
  • Cyclosporins
  • Immunosuppressive Agents