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Aplastic Anemia
Drugs For Aplastic Anemia
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Aplastic Anemia
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Aplastic anemia (AA) is a term that refers to a condition where the body fails to produce enough blood cells. It is characterized by bone marrow failure and by pancytopenia in the peripheral blood. In 1888, Paul Ehrlich was the first to describe the condition when he put forth the case of a pregnant woman who died of bone marrow failure. Later, in 1904, Anatole Chauffard lent the name ‘aplastic anemia’ for this disorder. Aplastic anemia is an extremely rare condition and reliable data regarding the number of affected people is not available. Nevertheless, the disease is regarded to be more common among Asians than among the Caucasians. AA affects both males and females although a preponderance may be observed among the males.  In individuals with AA, the hematopoietic progenitors or the cells that are subsequently converted to the various blood cells do not respond even to high levels of growth factors.. Approximately 80% of AA cases are acquired or as a result of an autoimmune disease and the remaining are hereditary.
The disease can affect anyone but is more common among the young. The incidence tends to peak among those between the age group of 20-25 years. AA should be differentiated from myelo-dysplastic syndrome (MDS), which is seen in those above 60 years and is a result of stem cell failure. Aplastic anemia symptoms usually arise due to one or more types of blood cell deficiency. It increases a person’s risk of morbidity and mortality from bleeding and infections. Aplastic anemia diagnosis is confirmed through blood tests and bone marrow biopsy. Treatment for AA comprises mainly of blood transfusions and medication. Some cases may require bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The prognosis of those with AA has remarkably improved over the years thanks to newer medications and better treatment methods such as bone marrow transplant. |
Latest Publication and Research on Aplastic Anemia - Updated on 04/18/2013.
Hematologic responses in patients with aplastic anemia treated with deferasirox: a post-hoc analysis from the EPIC study. - Published by PubMed
Defective telomere elongation and hematopoiesis from telomerase-mutant aplastic anemia iPSCs. - Published by PubMed
A case with pancytopenia: the role of cytomorphology. - Published by PubMed
Less could be better: The case for reducing the dose of cyclophosphamide for children undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplant for severe aplastic anemia. - Published by PubMed
Stem cell transplant: An experience from eastern India. - Published by PubMed
Hematologic responses in patients with aplastic anemia treated with deferasirox: a post-hoc analysis from the EPIC study. - Published by PubMed
Defective telomere elongation and hematopoiesis from telomerase-mutant aplastic anemia iPSCs. - Published by PubMed
A case with pancytopenia: the role of cytomorphology. - Published by PubMed
Less could be better: The case for reducing the dose of cyclophosphamide for children undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplant for severe aplastic anemia. - Published by PubMed
Stem cell transplant: An experience from eastern India. - Published by PubMed
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Posted by:
dukemd69
Posted on: 02/22/2013 How is the severity of AA classified: ie. the difference between mild and severe forms? Can a mild form evolve into a severe one? Should women[20s] consider treatments which inhibit their menstrual cycles, in order to reduce blood loss? Are there any "alternative" therapies which are effective; short of BMT or an immunosuppressive regimen?
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Posted by:
Spudserella
Posted on: 05/13/2013 The difference between mild and sever are the levels at which the blood counts stand.
These are the level boundaries to be diagnosed with AA;
Haemoglobin <10 g/dL
Platelet count < 50 x 109/L
Neutrophil count <1.5 x 109/L
These are those for severe;
Neutrophils <0.5 x 109/L
Platelets <20 x 109/L
Reticulocytes <20 x 109/L
And Very Severe;
neutrophils <0.2 x 109/L
Women of menstruating age are advised to use drug treatment to either stop of reduce bleeding when platelets stand at less than around 30 but of course every case is individual.
There are some cases that have been treated with an immunosupresive drug instead of the chemotherapy option of ALG/ATG along with transfusions but this is generally a treatment for the effects of the illness compared to trying to "cure" it which is the aim of a BMT and ATg/ALG.
Hope this helps x
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