Hydroxyurea therapy increases plasma erythropoietin in patients with essential thrombocythaemia or polycythaemia vera.
The determination of serum/plasma erythropoietin (EPO) concentration has gained widespread use in the diagnosis of polycythaemia vera (PV). A reduced EPO concentration in a newly diagnosed essential thrombocythaemia (ET) seems to be a risk factor for thromboembolic events. In this study plasma EPO concentration was determined before and after initiated hydroxyurea (HU) therapy, 14 patients with PV or ET were included. After 1 month on HU therapy 11 of 14 patients had increased their EPO concentration compared with prior to medication. The plasma EPO was increased in all, except one patient, after 4 months HU therapy. If EPO is incorporated in the diagnostic or prognostic procedures it should be determined before myelosuppressive therapy is initiated.
Johansson
P
P
Section of Haematology and Coagulation, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg and Uddevalla Hospital, Uddevalla, Sweden. peter.l.johansson@vgregion.se
Andréasson
B
B
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D011087:Polycythemia Vera / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013920:Thrombocythemia, Essential / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013997:Time Factors
D004921:Erythropoietin; D006918:Hydroxyurea