Azathioprine in Myeloproliferative and Autoimmune Disorders

Abstract

SummaryThe report presents the clinical results of treatment with Azathioprine 6 [(methyl-4-nitro-5-imidazolyl) thio] purine, in patients with acute leukaemia, the acute relapsing phase of chronic myelocytic leukaemia and in a group of patients affected by illness which have probably an autoimmune pathogenesis.Favorable results were obtained in the group of patients suffering from acute leukaemia with a percentage of clinical and/or haematological remission of 57%.A comparative analysis of the length of survival in these patients compared to that of a similar group of patients treated with 6-mercaptopurine is also reported.A fair response was also obtained in the group of patients in the acute relapsing phase of C.M.L.In the group of patients affected by diseases probably due to an immune pathogenesis, a favorable response was obtained in 2 cases of systemic lupus erithematosus with haemolytic anaemia and 1 case of acquired autoimmune haemolytic anaemia.