Severe aplastic anaemia: a prospective study of the effect of androgens or transplantation on haematological recovery and survival.

A prospective study was performed (1) to evaluate the role of androgens in treatment of severe aplastic anaemia, and (2) to compare the efficacy of early bone marrow transplantation with more conventional therapy for severe marrow aplasia. Results fail to support a beneficial effect of androgens on the course of patients with severe aplastic anaemia. In contrast, histocompatible bone marrow transplantation significantly improves survival and haematological recovery. Alternative therapies should be carefully evaluated for non-transplantable patients with severe marrow aplasia.