Clinical evaluation of a combined immunosuppressive therapy of antithymocyte globulin and cyclosporin A for patients with aplastic anemia *
[Purpose] A combined immunosuppressive therapy of anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) and cyclosporin A (CyA) for aplastic anemia (AA) was clinically evaluated. [Methods] ATG (Lymphoglobuline) 15 mg/kg/day for five days D.I.V and Cy A (SandimmunR ) 5 mg/kg/day for at least three months were given to four cases with a severe grade AA and to two cases with a moderate grade. [Results] Five out of the six cases demonstrated a good response (GR) after nine months of this combined therapy. But one case with long duration (77 months of AA), remained refractory to the therapy. All the five cases who showed good response to the therapy, the duration of aplastic anemia before the therapy were less than three months. [Conclusion] ATG and CyA is combined immunosuppressive therapy with an effective for untreated patients with AA, especially the duration of the disease is less than three months from the onset. But care must be taken for major side effects and delayed complications. (Accepted on April 11, 2000) Kawasaki Igakkaishi 26 (2) : 95-100, 2000
