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Aplastic Anaemia PDF
Aplastic Anaemia PDF
Aplastic Anaemia
Mammen Chandy*
Fig. 1 : The three panels above illustrate the possible sequence of events after interaction with a drug or virus with the
haematopoietic stem cell which results in an immune response which damages the haematopoietic stem cell either
directly by T cells or indirectly by cytokines or rarely antibody.
Stress testing to exclude FA is essential in all children: more effective than rabbit ATG.17 Some studies suggest
tests for PNH and cytogenetic examination of the that ATGAM produced in India is comparable to the
bone marrow to exclude hypoplastic MDS is useful. Pfizer product but larger studies need to be done to
Screen for blood borne viruses is mandatory both confirm this. 18 The exact mechanism by which ALG
for the aetiology and since most patients have been and ATG work to restore haematopoiesis is unclear
transfused. since destruction of T-cells alone with monoclonal anti
Once a diagnosis has been established the following T-cell antibodies is not effective. 19 Administration of
treatment options are available today: ALG/ATG to a sick aplastic anaemia patient requires
experience and adequate transfusion support and
• Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
management of infection. Response rates in the region
• Therapy with Anti-lymphocyte (ALG) and Anti- of 60% can be expected but some patients will have
thymocyte (ATG) immunoglobulin clonal evolution to PNH and myelodysplastic (MDS)
• Cyclosporine syndrome. Cyclosporine is always administered for
• Androgens and Danazol 3 to 6 months after ATG: however the drug can be
The choice of the optimal therapy for the individual used as a single agent in patients with no severe
patient remains empiric. aplastic anaemia with responses in the region of
30-40%. 20 Preventing gingival hyperplasia and proper
Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation if there is
control of drug induce hypertension is essential in
a stem cell donor remains the treatment of choice for
the patient with a low platelet count. The drug must
young patient with very severe aplastic anaemia and it
be tapered slowly if there is a response. There is an
is possible achieve disease free survival in the region of
association between HLA and cyclosporine response
85% in young patients.12,13 However many patients with
and dependence. 21
SAA in India present late, having received multiple
transfusions and are often septic: waiting for these There is a place for androgens in the management
patients to stabilise when there are no neutrophils is of patients with non severe aplastic anaemia when
often of no use and the transplant should be performed resources are limited and an occasional patient who
as quickly as possible under appropriate antimicrobial has failed other therapies responds to treatment. 22
cover.14 Logistics and resources are the most important Virilisation, hepatic dysfunction and premature
constraints. The use of fludarabine along with closure of the epiphyses in children are important
cyclophosphamide has reduced rejection but graft side effects. Danazol should be used in preference
versus host disease remains a problem.15,16 ALG or ATG to oxymethalone or stanozolol in females. There is
would be the first line of treatment for older adults data that danazol may be useful in patients with
with SAA who are not septic. The choice of the product Dyskeratosis congenita. 23,24
is important with data suggesting that horse ATG is Aplastic anaemia remains a challenging clinical
supplement to Journal of the association of physicians of india • Published on 1st of every month 1st march, 2015 7
problem and early diagnosis and prompt institution 13. George B, Mathews V, Viswabandya A, Lakshmi KM, Srivastava A,
of the appropriate treatment for the individual Chandy M. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is
superior to immunosuppressive therapy in Indian children with
patients should be the goals for physicians in India.
aplastic anemia--a single-center analysis of 100 patients. Pediatr
The data and publications on Aplastic Anaemia from Hematol Oncol 2010;27:122-31.
India is limited and this issue of JAPI is an attempt to
14. George B, Mathews V, Viswabandya A, Srivastava A, Chandy M.
bring together perspectives and data from different Fludarabine-based reduced intensity conditioning regimens for
haematologists from India. allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with
aplastic anemia and fungal infections. Clin Transplant 2009;23:228-32.
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