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To echo Techique21's comment, NIH did do a High Dose Cytoxan clinical trial that ended early. Their trial included the use of cyclosprorine after the administration of the 4 days of cytoxan. This lead to one or two fatalities from fungal infections. Johns Hopkins trial was different but the stigma from the NIH trial stuck with many. The NIH then turned their focus on the use of ATG.
Now, there are better antibiotics and anit-fungals to help people get through the period where they have no white count. This is true for BMT's also.
John had a difficult time and did not respond like most. He went 84 days without a white blood cell count and it took him 22 months to get red cell transfusion free and 20 months to be platelet transfusion free. Well outside the norm. The anti-fungals, at that time, were very hard on him. He was also on a new antibiotic that caused some issues for him. But like I said, they have newer anti-fungals that are not as hard on the body now.
After 9 years, his WBC/ANC is now normal, his HGB is stable around 12 and his platelets are at 114.
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Marlene, wife to John DX w/SAA April 2002, Stable partial remission; Treated with High Dose Cytoxan, Johns Hopkins, June 2002. Final phlebotomy 11/2016. As of July 2021 HGB 12.0, WBC 4.70/ANC 3.85, Plts 110K.
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