Brief Report: Use of Phytohemagglutinin to Stimulate Hematopoiesis in Humans

PHA therapy was administered to three patients with bone marrow suppression, two with "idiopathic aplastic anemia" and one with myelofibrosis. One patient with aplastic anemia showed increased marrow erythroid activity; the others had no response. Review of the available data on PHA therapy suggests that states of marrow depression related to known etiologies may respond more readily than idiopathic states. Further studies are needed before definitive conclusions can be drawn as to the true efficacy of this agent.