Pure red cell aplasia after chemotherapy for Hodgkin's lymphoma: in vitro evidence for T cell mediated suppression of erythropoiesis and response to sequential cyclosporin and erythropoietin.

Acquired pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) has been associated with various lymphoproliferative conditions but its occurrence with Hodgkin's disease is rare. We report a case of PRCA occurring immediately following the completion of induction chemotherapy in a patient with Stage IIIB nodular sclerosing Hodgkin's disease. In vitro erythroid colony studies documented evidence for T cell mediated suppression of erythropoiesis and lack of a serum inhibitor. Addition of cyclosporin to the in vitro cultures stimulated erythroid colony growth. Following in vivo treatment with cyclosporin peripheral blood CD4/CD8 ratios returned to normal. However, serum erythropoietin levels were inappropriately low. Subsequent treatment with erythropoietin induced a reticulocytosis and transfusion independence. Since discontinuing the erythropoietin, the patient has been able to maintain a hemoglobin of 100 g/L. This case illustrates that red cell aplasia occurring in the setting of Hodgkin's disease may be due to T cell mediated suppression of erythropoiesis. A response to cyclosporin may be masked by inappropriately low erythropoietin levels.