Haematological improvement by long-term administration of recombinant human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor and recombinant human erythropoietin in a patient with severe aplastic anaemia.

Abstract

A 6-year-old girl with post-hepatitic severe aplastic anaemia was referred to our hospital. Haematological examination showed a haemoglobin level of 5.2 g/dl, platelet count of 8,000/microliters, and white blood cell count of 130/microliters with 17% neutrophils. She was treated with recombinant human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (15 micrograms/kg/day i.v.) and cyclosporin A (6 mg/kg/day p.o.). The absolute neutrophil count gradually increased, but Hb and platelets were not improved. The intravenous administration of recombinant human erythropoietin (100 U/kg three times a week) was started, and the reticulocyte count reached 20,000/microliters on day 12. The platelets increased to 81,000/microliters after 16 months of combined administration of recombinant human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, recombinant human erythropoietin and cyclosporin A. After 20 months of combined administration, the haematological results were: Hb, 13.1 g/dl; platelets 80,000/microliters; WBC, 9500/microliters with 40% neutrophils. After recombinant human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor treatment, the myeloid elements of the bone marrow and the number of granulocyte-macrophage colony forming units increased. Bone marrow erythropoiesis and erythroid colonies also increased after recombinant human erythropoietin administration. The clinical course suggested a beneficial effect of haemopoietic growth factors and cyclosporin A in post-hepatitic aplastic anaemia.