[Effectiveness and safety of recombinant human interleukin-11 in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effectiveness and safety of domestically produced recombinant human interleukin 11 (rhIL-11) for the treatment of chemotherapy- induced thrombocytopenia.


METHODS
A total of 32 solid cancer patients who developed chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia ( _70 x 10(9)/L) after the first cycle of chemotherapy was studied by self-cross control. The patients were given subcutaneous injection of rhIL-11 (25 microg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) for 7 to 14 consecutive days or until platelet count > or = 100 x 10(9)/L during the second cycle of chemotherapy using the identical regimen as in the first cycle.


RESULTS
The mean platelet count of the patients after rhIL-11 treatment was higher at different time points during the second cycle of chemotherapy than that during the first cycle of chemotherapy with the mean platelet count of (110.2 +/- 53.5) x 10(9)/L in the first cycle of chemotherapy versus (55.6 +/- 46.8) x 10(9)/L in the second cycle of chemotherapy (P < 0. 01). Patients with platelet count < or = 50 x 10(9)/L was 4/32 (12.5%) in the first cycle of chemotherapy and 12/32 (37.5%) in the second cycle of chemotherapy (P < 0.01). The time recovery to the normal platelet count was 2 - 18 days (median 5 days) in the first cycle of chemotherapy versus 5 - 27 days (median 12 days) in the second cycle of chemotherapy (P < 0.01). The case/frequency of the platelet transfusion was 2/2 in the first cycle of chemotherapy, while it was 7/9 in the second cycle of chemotherapy (P < 0.01). The major adverse reactions relative to rhIL-11 treatment were fatigue, myalgia/arthralgia, ache, headache, palpitation, edema and fever, most of which could be relieved automatically without any specific treament. However, some 3 grade side effects such as fatigue, myalgia/arthralgia and headache needed proper medication.


CONCLUSIONS
rhIL-11 is safe and effective for chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia with mild and manageable side effects.
Lei
Wei
W
Department of Medical Oncology , Medical School Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China. leiyishi@126.com
Liang
Jun
J
Chen
Wei-Gang
WG
Ma
Xue-Zhen
XZ
Xu
Mei
M
Du
Li-Li
LL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005221:Fatigue / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D017370:Interleukin-11 / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010976:Platelet Count; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D017370:Interleukin-11; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016190:Carboplatin; D017239:Paclitaxel