Cyclosporin A in the treatment of severe acute aplastic anaemia

Twelve consecutive adults with severe acute aplastic anaemia, not having a bone marrow transplantation option, were prospectively randomized to receive either cyclosporin A alone or an equivalent amount of this immunosuppressive agent in combination with antilymphocyte serum. The minimum follow-up is 36 months, with half the patients developing nephrotoxicity, which was easily reversible in all but one. No response could be attributed to either regimen. Cyclosporin A does not appear to have a place as primary form of treatment for adults with severe acute aplastic anaemia, either on its own or in combination with antilymphocyte serum.