Anti‐Thymocyte Globulin Treatment for Aplastic Anemia

Abstract

20 patients with severe aplastic anemia were treated with anti‐thymocyte globulin (ATG), 6 of them in combination with haplo‐identical bone marrow. 7 patients (35%) showed a good clinical response within 6 months; they were off transfusions and had ≥ 0.8 times 10⁹/1 neutrophils. ATG had the greatest effect on red‐cell production and the least on platelet production.The hematological recovery after ATG could not be predicted from the bone‐marrow histology, CFU‐c growth, or clinical data. However, patients with strong HLA antibodies seemed to respond more often.The actuarial survival was 55% at 5 years. Under intensive supportive care, even 7 out of 12 non‐responders were alive after 1 year. ATG appears to be a useful form of therapy for patients with severe aplastic anemia who are not candidates for bone‐marrow transplantation.