Successful treatment of anti-erythropoietin antibody-mediated pure red cell aplasia with low-dose prednisolone

Int J Hematol. 2013 Feb;97(2):272-4. doi: 10.1007/s12185-013-1258-3. Epub 2013 Jan 26.

Abstract

The standard therapy for anti-erythropoietin (EPO) antibody-mediated pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is cyclosporine (CyA) or prednisolone (PSL) 0.5-1.0 mg/kg. However, many patients with severe chronic kidney disease (CKD) and chronic heart failure cannot tolerate such an immunosuppressive regimen. An 86-year-old man with anemia related to CKD and chronic heart failure, who had received recombinant human erythropoietin subcutaneously, developed anti-EPO antibody-mediated PRCA. The patient was treated with CyA followed by PSL (1.0 mg/kg); however, he was unable to tolerate this drug regimen. The PSL dose was reduced to 0.2 mg/kg. Surprisingly, his reticulocyte count increased 3 months later, and RBC transfusion was no longer required. Low-dose PSL is a treatment option for patients with anti-EPO antibody-mediated PRCA who cannot tolerate CyA and PSL (0.5-1.0 mg/kg).

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antibodies / blood
  • Antibodies / immunology*
  • Erythropoietin / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Male
  • Prednisolone / administration & dosage*
  • Red-Cell Aplasia, Pure / diagnosis
  • Red-Cell Aplasia, Pure / drug therapy*
  • Red-Cell Aplasia, Pure / immunology*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Erythropoietin
  • Prednisolone