Treatment of polycythaemia vera with reinfusion of autologous blood plasma obtained by phlebotomy

Abstract

In 37 out of 41 patients with polycythaemia vera, complete haematological remission has been achieved by phlebotomy and reinfusion of the autologous plasma. Improvement lasted from 7 to 48 months. Repeated application of the same procedure in 18 patients led to a new remission in 2 patients lasting more than 25 months. In the blood plasma a factor inhibiting erythropoiesis has been detected in normally fed or previously stimulated rats by testing the plasma for 59Fe uptake. The nature of this inhibiting factor is discussed.