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Aplastic Anemia

Aplastic Anemia Treatment

Learn about the treatment methods, including clinical trials, available at the OSUCCC – James to care for aplastic anemia.

    Aplastic Anemia Treatment

    Aplastic anemia treatment varies by the type of aplastic anemia you have been diagnosed with, whether it is mild, moderate or severe; and a combination of your age, overall health, family history and your individual, specific blood cell classification. At the OSUCCC – James, our internationally recognized hematology experts work with patients to design an individualized, personalized and compassionate approach to care.

    Treatment may ease your symptoms, improve your quality of life and possibly provide a cure for your condition. Depending on your unique health history and the severity of your condition, your team of hematologists may recommend one or more of these treatment options:

    • Medicines: Low white blood cell counts can make it hard for your body to fight off infections. Your doctors may prescribe antiviral medications and antibiotics to kill bacteria, fungi or viruses that cause infection.
    • Blood transfusions: This type of treatment can temporarily relieve symptoms of aplastic anemia, such as fatigue and bleeding, by increasing the amount of red blood cells, platelets or both in your blood. Blood transfusions may be repeated, but complications may arise. For example, you may develop a buildup of iron in your system, called hemochromatosis, or your body may develop antibodies that fight donor blood cells. Immunosuppressants may be used to help control this response.
    • Blood and bone marrow transplants: By using a donor’s healthy stem cells, blood and bone marrow transplants and peripheral blood stem cell transplants are surgical procedures that restore stem cells that have been damaged or destroyed. For the best results, donor cells should closely match your own, known as “fully matched.” Relatives like your parents, siblings, a child, a niece or a nephew are more likely to be the best sources for fully matched donors or even half-matched donors, which have found increasing success in clinical trials. If you don’t have a closely matched donor in your family, your OSUCCC – James team of experts will work to find an unrelated donor who’s a close match. Blood and bone marrow transplant is the only cure for aplastic anemia, and it’s essential the treatment is delivered in a hospital with a full team of highly experienced specialists, including physicians, nurse specialists and pharmacists.
    • Immunosuppressive therapy: This type of therapy may be used for people with severe aplastic anemia who can’t have a stem cell transplant, or for people whose condition needs to be controlled while waiting for a stem cell transplant. Immunosuppressants, such as antithymocyte globulin, cyclosporine and eltrombopag, suppress your body’s immune system and slow or stop damage to your bone marrow. This isn’t a cure for aplastic anemia, but if you experience a robust response and your blood counts increase to normal or near normal within 12 weeks, you may return to your normal daily activities.

    If you have been diagnosed with aplastic anemia or would like to speak with a hematology expert at the OSUCCC – James, please call 614-293-9441 or 800-293-5066. Telehealth options are available.