Successful Treatment of Aplastic Anemia in the Kyrgyz Republic

Abstract

Aim. To assess the outcomes of combined immunosuppressive therapy in patients with severe aplastic anemia (АА) reflecting the first experience with the use of antithymocyte globulin and cyclosporine A at the National Center of Oncology and Hematology of Kyrgyz Republic Ministry of Health. Materials & Methods. The trial included 24 AA patients (14 men and 10 women) aged 18-70 years. All patients received combined immunosuppressive therapy at the Hematology Department of the National Center of Oncology and Hematology of Kyrgyz Republic Ministry of Health (Bishkek). Results. Initially the effect of immunosuppressive therapy was observed in 15 (62.5 %) out of 24 AA patients, 9 (37.5 %) patients did not respond to it. In 12 months after the start of combined immunosuppressive therapy the effect of it was reported in 18 (75 %) patients, 6 (25 %) patients showed no effect. The outcomes of combined immunosuppressive therapy in our study were independent of the age of patients and severity of the disease. Conclusion. The first experience with the use of combined immunosuppressive therapy in patients with severe AA proved to be highly successful in terms of its efficacy. Immunosuppressive therapy comes first when allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from a relative donor is not possible. Combined immunosuppressive therapy started immediately after AA diagnosis gives hope for achieving stable remission and blood components (erythrocytes, thrombocytes) transfusion independence.