Thymoma-associated pancytopenia: effectiveness of cyclosporine A

Ann Hematol. 1998 Oct;77(4):175-8. doi: 10.1007/s002770050437.

Abstract

Aplastic anemia is a rare complication of thymoma and is properly documented in only few cases. Here, we report the case of a previously healthy, 65-year-old patient who was found simultaneously to have a spindle-cell thymoma and severe hypoplastic anemia with a mild infiltration of the bone marrow by CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, CD16+ natural killer cells, and a decrease in blood CD4/CD8 ratio. Cultures of marrow erythroid progenitors demonstrated serum inhibitor. While steroids, cyclophosphamide and antilymphocyte globulin failed to improve hematopoiesis, cyclosporine A (Cy-A) led to a partial, stable remission that was sustained for 4 years. Since Cy-A has been associated with good responses in three cases of thymoma-associated red cell aplasia, we recommend its use in cases of thymoma-associated cytopenias refractory to steroids and cyclophosphamide.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Aged
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
  • Cyclosporine / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Pancytopenia / complications*
  • Retreatment
  • Thymoma / complications
  • Thymoma / drug therapy*
  • Thymus Neoplasms / complications
  • Thymus Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Cyclosporine
  • Cyclophosphamide