Deferasirox treatment improved hematopoiesis and led to complete remission in a patient with pure red cell aplasia

Abstract

A 64-year-old woman developed pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) 4 years after thymectomy for thymoma. During anti-thymocyte globulin treatment, the patient developed cytomegalovirus pneumonia and was thus unable to continue immunosuppressive therapy and became transfusion dependent. Deferasirox was started for treatment with iron overload when serum ferritin increased to >1000 ng/mL. Seven months after initiation of deferasirox treatment, serum ferritin level decreased the normal range and the patient has remained transfusion independent thereafter. Deferasirox was discontinued when serum ferritin level decreased below 500 ng/mL, and she has maintained in complete remission over the last 15 months. Hypotheses have been raised regarding the improvement of hematopoiesis by deferasirox treatment, but the mechanism whereby this might be achieved remains unclear. Deferasirox treatment may be clinically beneficial both by reducing iron overload and by improving hematopoiesis in patients with PRCA.