This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Eltrombopag after romiplostim appears safe in treating ITP
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
The order in which eltrombopag and romiplostim are administered had an effect on treatment outcomes of patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia, according to results of a retrospective study.
Researchers analyzed data from 51 adults with primary immune thrombocytopenia treated with romiplostim (Nplate, Amgen) followed by eltrombopag (Promacta, GlaxoSmithKline).
The median age of the group was 49 years (range, 18-83). The majority of patients (n = 32; 62.7%) were women.
The median duration of romiplostim use before receipt of eltrombopag was 12 months (interquartile range, 5-21).
Reasons for patients switching to eltrombopag included lack of efficacy (n = 25), patient preference (n = 16), platelet count fluctuation (n = 6) and adverse effects (n = 4).
Results showed 41 patients (80%) demonstrated response to eltrombopag, and 35 (67%) achieved complete responses.
After a median follow-up of 14 months, 31 patients continued their responses.
All patients who switched due to patient preference, platelet count fluctuation and adverse effects maintained efficacy, according to researchers.
One-third (33%) of patients experienced at least one adverse event during treatment with eltrombopag.
“We consider the use of eltrombopag after romiplostim for treating ITP to be effective and safe,” José Ramón González-Porras, MD, PhD, of the department of hematology at Salamanca University Hospital in Spain, and colleagues wrote. “Response to eltrombopag was related to the cause of romiplostim discontinuation.” – by Lauren Frisby
Disclosure: HemOnc Today was unable to confirm relevant financial disclosures.
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts