CLONAL T-CELL PROLIFERATION CAUSING PURE RED-CELL APLASIA IN CHRONIC B-CELL LYMPHOCYTIC-LEUKEMIA - SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT WITH CYCLOSPORINE FOLLOWING IN-VITRO ABROGATION OF ERYTHROID COLONY-SUPPRESSING ACTIVITY

Clonal T cells that cause pure red cell aplasia were demonstrated in a patient with chronic B-cell lymphocytic leukaemia. The T-cell fractio n was enriched by the immunomagnetic method and shown to have T-cell r eceptor-beta gene rearrangement. Cryopreserved T cells, obtained durin g the period of anaemia, suppressed autologous erythroid progenitor ce ll growth from remission marrow The colony-suppressing activity was ma rkedly improved by the addition of cyclosporine to the culture medium. The patient achieved haematological remission by cyclosporine monothe rapy. Cyclosporine treatment may improve erythropoiesis in both a T-ce ll-dependent and a T cell-independent manner.