If Non Response to ATG/cyclo Counts Return To Pre-Treatment Level?

[Susan]

Hi Everyone!

I have AA/PNH and right now AA is my concern, neutrophils and platelets falling. I may need ATG/Cyclo before too long. if my neutrophils stay around .4 or lower and platelets go to around 25 I'll go for it. If a patient does not respond do the counts usually at least return to baseline -the pre-treatment level?

I'm wondering about the odds of counts staying close to zeros or super low if I don't respond. If that is a possibility I'd want to to go in with a Plan B.


Thanks,

Suz

[Neil Cuadra]

ATG, like other immunosuppressant treatments, can depress your counts before it improves them, so even if the treatment works you may need transfusions or growth factors to maintain your blood counts until the ATG does its magic. If you don't respond to ATG, counts may be similarly depressed until you "recover" from the ATG.

Of course, without any treatment at all your counts could drop further or start to improve. Such is the unpredictable nature of aplastic anemia.

[Susan]

Thank you Neil.