It has to be acceptable as regards side effects, both immediate and long-term. It has to be easy to do and easily accessible, not involving great inconvenience to the patient. Other treatments that have been suggested as working include chemotherapy, interferons, cyclosporin. They all have side-effects. A patient may be sensitive to one or more but not to all.
Some patients are resistant to all therapies.
But it is a very effective treatment. But there is a world-wide shortage because there are not enough blood donors. The cost of the treatment is import-ant. Corticosteroids cost about 20 cents per day. I will review my initial chosen treatment after six weeks to see if there has been a response.