Collection of Blood From Patients With Pancytopenia

Aplastic anemia is a condition in which the cells normally found in blood are greatly decreased. The normal levels of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets are much lower in patients with aplastic anemia. Because of these low levels of blood cells, patients with aplastic anemia have a variety of immune system abnormalities. However, low levels of blood cells make it difficult to collect specialized white blood cells (mononuclear cells) for research studies. This study was designed to collect lymphocytes from patients with low levels of all blood cells (pancytopenia) for use in research. Patients participating in the study will undergo a special procedure known as lymphapheresis. During lymphapheresis blood is taken from the patient in a manner similar to blood donation. The white blood cells are selectively removed by spinning (centrifugation), and the remaining red blood cells and platelets are placed back (re-infused) into the donor s blood stream. Patients participating in this study will not benefit directly from it. However, cells collected in this study may increase scientific knowledge and improve understanding and treatment for diseases like aplastic anemia. Patients with aplastic anemia, myelodysplasia, and other marrow failure syndromes have a variety of immunologic abnormalities including lymphocyte phenotypic and lymphokine production dysregulation. Because of their low blood counts, it has been difficult to obtain sufficient peripheral blood mononuclear cells for research studies. Patients agreeing to this protocol will be lymphapheresed the equivalent of one or two units of cells (approximately 1-2 x 10(8) cells), which will be used for research purposes.