PMID: 8589357Oct 1, 1995Paper

Treatment of aplastic anaemia with antilymphocyte globulin and cyclosporin

International Journal of Hematology
J C Marsh, E C Gordon-Smith

Abstract

Improved survival of patients with aplastic anaemia (AA) has been reported over the last 20 years with immunosuppressive (IS) therapy using antilymphocyte globulin (ALG), and more recently cyclosporin (CSA). The antibody specificities of ALG have now been more clearly defined and are not only T cell directed but also include activities against B cells, NK cells and monocytes. Consequently, the effectiveness of ALG in AA may involve several different mechanisms, and may also help to explain the delayed response that occurs in AA. CSA increases the response rate to ALG in the first 3-6 months, but does not result in improved survival compared with ALG alone. Better supportive care has undoubtedly contributed to the improved survival of patients with time. Almost half the patients who do not respond to a first course of ALG can achieve a later response with a second course of ALG. Relapse occurs in 30% of patients, but up to 50% will respond again with a second course of ALG. Evaluation of the expression of (1) phosphatidylinositol-glycan (PIG)-anchored proteins on haemopoietic cells and (2) gamma-IFN in bone marrow mononuclear cells, may help to predict which patients are more likely to respond to IS therapy. Long term follow up ...Continue Reading

Citations

Jul 9, 2003·British Journal of Haematology·Julie FlynnFrances M Gibson
Nov 21, 2012·Expert Opinion on Emerging Drugs·Pearlie K Epling-BurnetteAlan F List
Dec 17, 2003·British Journal of Haematology·Nikolaos C GiannakoulasNicholas C Zoumbos
Apr 12, 2000·British Journal of Haematology·S B KillickF M Gibson
Sep 24, 2005·Clinical and Laboratory Haematology·M BhattacharyyaJ Cavenagh
Jan 1, 1997·Hematology·J C Marsh

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Cancer Biology: Molecular Imaging

Molecular imaging enables noninvasive imaging of key molecules that are crucial to tumor biology. Discover the latest research in molecular imaging in cancer biology in this feed.

Antibody Specificity

Antibodies produced by B cells are highly specific for antigen as a result of random gene recombination and somatic hypermutation and affinity maturation. As the main effector of the humoral immune system, antibodies can neutralize foreign cells. Find the latest research on antibody specificity here.

Blood And Marrow Transplantation

The use of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation or blood and marrow transplantation (bmt) is on the increase worldwide. BMT is used to replace damaged or destroyed bone marrow with healthy bone marrow stem cells. Here is the latest research on bone and marrow transplantation.