Drug-induced and antibody-mediated pure red cell aplasia: a review of literature and current knowledge

Abstract

Anti-erythropoietin (EPO)-induced pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is an uncommon, potentially life-threatening condition in which the bone marrow stops manufacturing red blood cells. In the past few years, reports of drug-induced, anti-EPO antibody-mediated PRCA have increased substantially, with most cases attributed to the use of one erythropoiesis-stimulating protein, Eprex. A literature review was undertaken to document the reports of drug-induced PRCA, with all drugs and drug regimens. The sudden increase in reports of antibody-mediated PRCA is discussed.