title: Effect of recombinant human interleukin-3 (rhIL-3) on persisting chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia.
abstract: A 57 year old woman with heavily pretreated advanced vaginal cancer (FIGO III) developed severe thrombocytopenia (7000/microliter) with bleedings after chemotherapy. This patient was treated with recombinant human interleukin-3 (rhIL-3) after 26 platelet transfusions (25 pooled transfusions and one HLA-matched platelet transfusion) had not been effective. Increase of thrombocyte counts began 2 days after rhIL-3 therapy. Side-effects due to rhIL-3 administration (flu-like symptoms) were mild and could be treated effectively with paracetamol and clemastin. These data support first evidence for efficacy of rhIL-3 in chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia and may open new perspectives for its clinical application.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Göttingen, Germany.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Meden
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fock
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kuhn
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007377:Interleukin-3 / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017713:Platelet Transfusion; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014625:Vaginal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007377:Interleukin-3; D011994:Recombinant Proteins