Low-dose subcutaneous alemtuzumab is a safe and effective treatment for chronic acquired pure red cell aplasia.

Abstract

Three patients with pure red cell aplasia, with or without co-existing large granular lymphocytic leukaemia, who remained transfusion-dependent despite treatment with established first-line therapy, were treated with low-dose subcutaneous alemtuzumab 15 mg twice to thrice per week, for 3 to 4 weeks. The mean response time was 17 days compared with a response time of at least 61 days on standard first-line therapy. There were no serious side-effects and the mean duration of remission was 13 months. Low-dose subcutaneous alemtuzumab is a safe and effective treatment for pure red cell aplasia and further trials should be conducted to compare the long-term effectiveness of this treatment with conventional therapy.

• Authors: Jason K W Chow, T K Chan
• Journal: Hong Kong medical journal = Xianggang yi xue za zhi (Hong Kong Med J) Vol. 19 Issue 6 Pg. 549-52 (Dec 2013) ISSN: 1024-2708 [Print] China
• PMID: 24310664 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• Alemtuzumab

Topics

• Aged
• Alemtuzumab
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Chronic Disease
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Humans
• Injections, Subcutaneous
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Red-Cell Aplasia, Pure (drug therapy)
• Remission Induction (methods)
• Time Factors
• Treatment Outcome