Treatment of red cell aplasia with antithymocyte globulin: repeated inductions of complete remissions in two patients.

Two patients with red cell aplasia unresponsive to prednisone and cyclophosphamide were treated with antithymocyte globulin (ATG). Both patients developed reticulocytosis within 2-4 days after ATG treatment and had complete remissions. Within 4-6 months, they relapsed, and after retreatment with ATG both again developed reticulocytosis and remission. ATG should be considered for the treatment of patients with red cell aplasia who fail to respond to glucocorticoid/alkylator treatment.