Cyclosporin A Monotherapy in Young Indian Aplastic Anaemia Patients

Immunosuppression is the most effective treatment for patients with aplastic anaemia (AA), except for bone marrow transplantation. This may be because immune mediated stem cell suppression appears to be an important pathogenic mechanism is many patients with AA. The mechanism of action of immunosuppressives in AA is unknown. However, they may reverse abnormal immune mediated suppression of hematopoiesis or induce growth and differentiation of marrow stem cells through activation of growth factors or various cytokines. The best results are achieved with antithymocyle globulin and cyclosporin when used with corticosteroids. Few studies have shown that the hematologic response to antithymocyte globulin is poorer in young patients1. Several studies have shown that cyclosporin A (CyA) could be effective treatment for AA. However, adequate data concerning immunosuppressive therapy, especially the use of CyA in patients of AA are not available from India. We carried out an open labelled prospective evaluation of efficacy and safety of CyA in young patients with AA. MATERIAL AND METHOD Patients of AA (bone marrow proven) attending haematology clinic of Internal Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh who were not suitable or unable t