LCNDG Rapid Review: Anti-thymocyte globulin (horse) for the first-line treatment of aplastic anaemia

Source: London Cancer New Drugs Group Area: Evidence > Drug Specific Reviews Immunosuppressive therapy with antithymocyte globulin (ATG) (usually with ciclosporin) has been the standard first-line treatment for patients with aplastic anaemia who are not eligible for HSCT for decades.    Horse ATG (Lymphoglobuline®) was used first-line in the UK for many years but this was withdrawn from the market in 2007 - rabbit ATG (Thymoglobuline®) was then used as a substitute. However recently published data has shown that outcomes are inferior for this product compared to horse ATG and this has led to the BCSH recommending the first-line use of horse ATG specifically.  A US preparation of horse ATG (Atgam®) is now available in the UK on a named patient basis.     The best located evidence comparing horse ATG to rabbit ATG in the first-line treatment of AA consists of a prospective, randomised study conducted by the NIH (n=120). When used in combination with ciclosporin, haematological response (68% vs. 37%) and estimated ...
Source: NeLM - Drug Specific Reviews - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: news