Treatment of agnogenic myeloid metaplasia with danazol: a report of four cases

Am J Hematol. 1996 Dec;53(4):239-41. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1096-8652(199612)53:4<239::AID-AJH5>3.0.CO;2-Z.

Abstract

Peripheral cytopenias are common in patients with agnogenic myeloid metaplasia (AMM). They are an important cause of morbidity and mortality, and their treatment is difficult. We report on 4 patients with AMM and severe cytopenia treated with danazol (400-600 mg/ day). Three of them became independent of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion, while the other had a slight reduction in RBC requirement. In addition, correction of thrombocytopenia and disappearance of splenomegaly were observed in 1 and 2 patients, respectively. No side effects were observed. In our experience, danazol appears effective and safe in the subset of patients with AMM whose disease is mainly characterized by bone-marrow failure. These data warrant further studies to evaluate this treatment and explore its mechanism of action.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anemia / drug therapy
  • Anemia / etiology
  • Anemia / therapy
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Danazol / therapeutic use*
  • Erythrocyte Transfusion / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Primary Myelofibrosis / complications
  • Primary Myelofibrosis / drug therapy*
  • Splenomegaly / drug therapy
  • Splenomegaly / etiology

Substances

  • Danazol