Annals of hematology
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Annals of hematology · Sep 2010
Comparative StudyComparison between horse and rabbit antithymocyte globulin as first-line treatment for patients with severe aplastic anemia: a single-center retrospective study.
The best antithymocyte globulin preparation for first-line immune suppression in patients with severe aplastic anemia is still not clear. The aim of this study was to compare hematological response and overall survival in patients submitted to horse or rabbit antithymocyte globulin as first-line treatment for severe aplastic anemia. We retrospectively compared 71 consecutive patients with severe aplastic anemia, classified according to the antithymocyte globulin preparation. ⋯ Use of rabbit antithymocyte globulin was an independent predictor of death (odds ratio 2.5; 95% confidence interval 1.03-6.04; p = 0.04). Rabbit antithymocyte globulin was associated with a significant and prolonged lymphopenia in comparison with horse antithymocyte globulin. Our data suggest the superiority of horse over rabbit antithymocyte globulin as first-line treatment for severe aplastic anemia, both regarding hematological response and survival.