Issue: 2003 > May > review

Aplastic anaemia: a review



REVIEW
S. Sleijfer, P.J. Lugtenburg
AbstractPDF

Abstract

Aplastic anaemia is featured by bone marrow hypocellularity and peripheral pancytopenia and is a potentially fatal disease. In recent years, insight in its pathogenesis has increased. It appears that activated autoreactive T lymphocytes induce apoptosis of haematopoietic stem cells resulting in a hypocellular bone marrow. Nowadays, it can be treated by stem cell transplantation or immunosuppressive therapy. This review focuses on the pathophysiology and treatment of aplastic anaemia.