Refractory Pure Red Blood Cell Aplasia Secondary to Major ABO-Incompatible Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation Successfully Treated With Daratumumab

Abstract

Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is a rare hematologic phenomenon that is usually associated with inherited genetic mutations such as in Diamond-Blackfan anemia. However, due to the emergence of allogenic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of various malignant and non-malignant disorders, the incidence of PRCA has increased. PRCA following hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is more commonly seen in the setting of a major ABO-incompatible transplant. Treatment of allo-HSCT induced PRCA can be initially supportive as it takes time for the bone marrow to fully recover. However, prolonged and/or failure of the bone marrow to recover, significantly increases patients risk of iron overload in the setting of frequent transfusions. Iron deposition can potentially lead to severe life-threatening multiorgan involvement which can be fatal. Therefore, earlier recognition and intervention with immunomodulators in patients who undergo frequent transfusions can be beneficial to mitigate this risk. Here, we present a case with severe transfusion-dependent PRCA following major ABO-incompatible allo-HSCT successfully treated with daratumumab.

J Hematol. 2023;12(6):277-282
doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jh1195