Effect of tacrolimus in a patient with pure red-cell aplasia

Clin Lab Haematol. 2005 Feb;27(1):67-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2257.2004.00654.x.

Abstract

A 78-year-old woman has suffered from pure red-cell aplasia (PRCA) associated with generalized myasthenia gravis and thymoma. Cyclosporin A (CyA) with corticosteroid increased numbers of erythroid cells in her bone marrow cells but she required monthly blood transfusions. Administration of tacrolimus as a substitution for CyA inhibited progression of anemia without the need for further blood transfusion. No serious side effects were observed. This case demonstrates that tacrolimus is another option of treatment for PRCA in patients who fail to respond to CyA.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anemia / drug therapy
  • Anemia / etiology
  • Anemia / therapy
  • Cyclosporine / therapeutic use*
  • Disease Progression
  • Erythrocyte Transfusion
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kidney / drug effects
  • Myasthenia Gravis / complications
  • Red-Cell Aplasia, Pure / complications
  • Red-Cell Aplasia, Pure / diagnosis
  • Red-Cell Aplasia, Pure / drug therapy*
  • Remission Induction
  • Tacrolimus / adverse effects
  • Tacrolimus / therapeutic use*
  • Thymoma / complications

Substances

  • Cyclosporine
  • Tacrolimus