Abstract
Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is a well-known marrow failure which may be acquired or constitutional/congenital, as the Diamond-Blackfan syndrome. Acquired PRCA may show as a primary hematological disorder or secondary to an associated disease, infection or drug. PRCA rarely complicates chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), may occur anytime in the course of the disease and, in this context, it is a minority of total PRCA. Anemia due to PRCA in CLL patients must be carefully evaluated and differentiated from other causes (autoimmune hemolytic anemia, neoplastic lymphocyte infiltration of bone marrow, chemotherapy) that require a different therapeutic approach. PRCA is thought to be an immunologically mediated disorder, but there is no uniformity in the setting of the management. Immunosuppressive therapy is frequently given, such as steroids and cyclosporin-A. Recently, anecdotal cases have been published on the effectiveness of monoclonal antibodies rituximab and alemtuzumab.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 279-286 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology |
Volume | 22 |
Issue number | 2 |
Publication status | Published - Apr 2009 |
Keywords
- Alemtuzumab
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
- Pure red cell aplasia
- Rituximab
- Therapy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology
- Immunology and Allergy
- Pharmacology