First report on bone marrow transplantation from Iraq

The Iraqi bone marrow transplantation center is located in the medical city complex in Baghdad, was established in November 2002 and performed the first case of mini-allotransplantation for acute myeloid leukemia on January 2003.The aim of this paper is to report the first cases of bone marrow transplantation in Iraq

Antithymocyte globulin with cyclosporine A and methylprednisolone in the treatment of aplastic anemia, adult patients: Iraqi experience

Antithymocyte globulin [ATG] has been the standard alternative for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation [HSCT] or immunosuppressive therapy [IST] of aplastic anemia. The aim of this study was to describe our experience with ATG in the treatment of aplastic anemia. From October 2003 to March 2007, 30 Iraqi patients [16 males, and 14 females] 24 with severe aplastic anemia [SAA] [=80%] and less severe aplastic anemia [nSAA] [n = 20%] patients were assigned to treatment with rabbit ATG [Thymoglobulin; Fresenius Germany] and methylprednisolone.Their ages ranged from 14-55 years. The patients were treated with 1-ATG 10-15mg/kg 5 -7 days, 2-cyclosporine 5mg/kg 6 months,3-methyl prednisolone 5mg/kg oral or iv 5 days and taper in 28 days. 12 [40%] patients achieved partial remission [P. Overall response was 50%. 18 remained alive. 4 patients [15%] didn't show any response. Six patients [20%] died within 12 months of starting treatment, 4[13.3%] died after more than 12 months after starting treatment. Our experience is similar to the previously reported experiences [11] with similar overall response to the previously reported response of 40-70%, and similar problems