Comparison of Two Different Doses of Rabbit ATG-Fresenius With Cyclosporin in the Treatment of Acquired Aplastic Anaemia

Acquired Aplastic anemia is one of the most frequent reason of bone marrow failure in East (Pakistan).

* The first treatment option is Allogenic Bone Marrow transplantation which is an expansive treatment option and also require a full matched HLA identical donor, hence hardly 25% of our affected patients get opportunity for BMT.
* The second line treatment option caters a large chunk of patients (severe and non-severe AA) along with those who lack HLA identical donor.

Previously many protocols had been used in past for ATG+CsA Treatment, this treatment protocol especially addresses the two different regimens of ATG to study its efficacy, durability and long-term effects. Following doses would be used:

* CsA+ATG @ 10mg/kg for 3 days
* CsA+ATG @ 10mg/kg for 5 days

Aplastic Anaemia (AA) is characterized by pancytopenia with hypo-cellular bone marrow in the absence of dysplasia, infiltration or fibrosis. The recommended first-line treatment options include Allogenic Bone Marrow Transplantation with HLA matched sibling donor. However, due to non-availability HLA matched identical sibling donor or due to other co-morbids and age, second choice of treatment is Anti Thymocyte Globulin (ATG) and Cyclosporin (CsA).

Rabbit ATG (Fresenius) has never been tested for the treatment of aplastic anaemia in Pakistani population before. We propose this investigator initiated trial which will will compare two different protocols of Rabbit ATG-Fresenius, 10mg/kg for 3 days and 10mg/kg for 5 days along with CsA in Pakistani patients suffering from AA. The subjects will be Non-severe (NSAA) and severe AA (SAA) who are not the eligible candidate for Allogenic Bone Marrow Transplantation. Patients will be randomized into two equal arms with same biological characteristics. Both arms will be treated with ATG-Fresenius and CsA in same doses with two different duration of treatment. They will later continue with CsA for at least 12 months and if response achieved, will be tapered more slowly over next 6 months.

The primary end point is to document the number of doses required by each of the two dose schedule to produce a response, achieve a nadir absolute lymphocyte count of 200 cmm. Secondary endpoints are short term safety of ATG-Fresenius, change in absolute neutrophil count from the baseline in both arms, change in platelet count from the baseline, change in absolute reticulocyte count, Number of blood units required till 8 weeks and 26 weeks, Number of platelet doses required till 8 weeks and 26 weeks, relapse, response rates at 6 and 12 months, clonal evolution to PNH, myelodysplasia or acute leukaemia. Long-course CsA will be assessed separately for its efficacy in reducing late events of relapse and evolution by comparison to historical control data.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

i. Severe aplastic anemia characterized by: Bone marrow cellularity \<30% (excluding lymphocytes) AND

At least two of the following:

a. Absolute neutrophil count \< 500/ uL b. Platelet count \< 20,000/ uL c. Absolute reticulocyte count \<60,000/ uL i. Age \> 2 years old ii. Weight \> 9 kg

Exclusion Criteria:

i. Diagnosis of Fanconi's anemia ii. Evidence of a clonal disorder on cytogenetics. Patients with very severe neutropenia (ANC \< 200 /uL) will be excluded iii. Failure of BMT iv. Prior immunosuppressive therapy with ATG, ALG, alemtuzumab, or high dose cyclophosphamide v. Infection not adequately responding to appropriate therapy vi. Serologic evidence of HIV infection vii. Failure to discontinue the herbal supplements or Other alternative approach of treatment within 2 weeks of enrolment viii. Moribund status or concurrent hepatic, renal, cardiac, neurologic, pulmonary, infectious, or metabolic disease of such severity that it would preclude the patient's ability to tolerate protocol therapy, or that death within 7-10 days is likely ix. History of carcinoma that is not considered cured (except local cervical, basal cell, or squamous cell) x. Current pregnancy, or unwillingness to take oral contraceptives or refrain from pregnancy if of childbearing potential xi. Not able to understand the investigational nature of the study or give informed consent