W R Rackoff1, C S Manno. 1. Section of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46202-5225.
Abstract
PURPOSE: We report that the use of alternate-day cyclosporine and prednisone improved the clinical course of a 6-year-old child with severe Evans syndrome. Before the use of cyclosporine the child had experienced life-threatening episodes of hemolytic anemia despite the use of multiple therapeutic modalities. METHODS: Cyclosporine was given at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day divided into two doses on alternate days. RESULTS: The use of cyclosporine resulted in increased hemoglobin levels, increased platelet counts, and the reduction of the patient's prednisone dose from 2 mg/kg/day to as low as 1 mg/kg every other day. With this regimen, the patient had less severe hemolytic anemia, was less thrombocytopenic, and had fewer hospitalizations. No major toxic effects were associated with cyclosporine therapy. CONCLUSION: The regimen of alternate-day cyclosporine and prednisone may prove to be useful in the treatment of other patients with refractory Evans syndrome.
PURPOSE: We report that the use of alternate-day cyclosporine and prednisone improved the clinical course of a 6-year-old child with severe Evans syndrome. Before the use of cyclosporine the child had experienced life-threatening episodes of hemolytic anemia despite the use of multiple therapeutic modalities. METHODS:Cyclosporine was given at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day divided into two doses on alternate days. RESULTS: The use of cyclosporine resulted in increased hemoglobin levels, increased platelet counts, and the reduction of the patient's prednisone dose from 2 mg/kg/day to as low as 1 mg/kg every other day. With this regimen, the patient had less severe hemolytic anemia, was less thrombocytopenic, and had fewer hospitalizations. No major toxic effects were associated with cyclosporine therapy. CONCLUSION: The regimen of alternate-day cyclosporine and prednisone may prove to be useful in the treatment of other patients with refractory Evans syndrome.
Authors: David T Teachey; Dana A Obzut; Kelly Axsom; John K Choi; Kelly C Goldsmith; Junior Hall; Jessica Hulitt; Catherine S Manno; John M Maris; Nicholas Rhodin; Kathleen E Sullivan; Valerie I Brown; Stephan A Grupp Journal: Blood Date: 2006-06-06 Impact factor: 22.113