Successful unrelated cord blood transplantation in a 7-year-old boy with Evans syndrome refractory to immunosuppression and double autologous stem cell transplantation.

Evans syndrome is an autoimmunopathy characterized by thrombocytopenia and autoimmune hemolytic anemia with poor response to immunosuppression. A 2-yr-old boy with Evans syndrome showed only short-lasting responses to immunosuppressive treatment including double autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation (SCT). Intracranial bleeding required emergency splenectomy and external ventricular drainage. Unrelated umbilical cord blood was given following conditioning with busulfan, thiotepa, etoposide and antithymocyte globulin. One year after SCT the patient shows stable blood counts without immunosuppression. This is the first child reported with Evans syndrome successfully treated by means of unrelated cord blood transplantation.