Cyclosporine in steroid-resistant Diamond-Blackfan anaemia

Two siblings with Diamond-Blackfan anaemia (DBA) and several congenital malformations were first treated with corticosteroids and blood transfusions. High steroid doses were needed, but in spite of this haemoglobin values periodically fell below acceptable levels. Cyclosporine was then given in addition to prednisolone. A slow increase in haemoglobin levels was observed over 2-3 months, and the prednisolone doses could be reduced gradually. Two short communications in the literature report similar experiences. Cyclosporine could be tried in DBA when reasonable corticosteroid doses do not give a satisfactory response. Since the main effect of cyclosporine is a specific inhibition of T-lymphocytes, the observed therapeutic effect in DBA indicates that T-lymphocytes may play an important role in the pathogenesis of this disease.