Outcome of Cyclosporine Monotherapy in Patients of Aplastic Anemia: Experience of a Tertiary Care Hospital in Eastern India.

INTRODUCTION: Immune suppression is a crucial pillar for treatment of aplastic anemia. Cyclosporine monotherapy is an easily available, affordable therapeutic option with good safety profile.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: This prospective study was conducted over a period of 2 years from June 2012 to July 2014. The diagnosis and response to treatment of aplastic anemia was established as per published criteria. Follow up was done at 3 and 6 months in order to assess the response.

RESULTS: 57 patients of acquired aplastic anemia with median age of 37 years (6 to 81 years) were included in the study. 35 (62 %) cases were severe aplastic anemai, 16 (28 %) non severe aplastic anemia and 6 (10 %) were very severe aplastic anemia. At 3 months overall response rate (OR) was 7 (14 %) and at 6 months the OR rate of 11 (19.6 %) was achieved. Transiently raised creatinine, liver function abnormality and gum hypertrophy were the main side effects observed in this cohort.

CONCLUSION: Oral cyclosporine monotherapy at dose of 5 mg/kg/day is a relatively safe treatment option for resource poor patients with aplastic anemia.