ACQUIRED HEMOLYTIC ANEMIA TREATED WITH CORTICOTROPIN

Abstract

Idiopathic, acquired hemolytic anemia is an interesting and perplexing hematological syndrome. Until recent reports of remission following administration of pituitary corticotropin (ACTH), treatment has been unsatisfactory in a large percentage of cases. Use of corticotropin in this disorder was first reported by several investigators at the Blood Club meeting in Atlantic City during April, 1950. These informal presentations were later abstracted¹ and other cases have been cited.² A rapid change of the blood picture toward normal has been uniformly noted. Some cases have remained in remission for weeks to months, while others have required maintenance doses to prevent relapse. Whereas most studies of corticotropin effect on normals have failed to show significant alteration of circulating antibodies,³ some of these hemolytic anemia cases exhibited falling titers in the developing (Coombs)⁴ test and other hemagglutinins under therapy. In those cases so tested osmotic and mechanical fragilities returned to