[Evaluation of recombinant human thrombopoietin in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia in lung cancer patients].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO) in treatment for chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia in patients with lung cancer.


METHODS
Fifty-one lung cancer patients with platelet count < 100 x 10(9)/L after chemotherapy were enrolled into this study. They were divided into three groups: mild, moderate and severe thrombocytopenia groups according to the platelet count. rhTPO was subcutaneously administered at a dosage of 300 microg kg(-1) d(-1) until the platelet count >or= 100 x 10(9)/L or absolute value of platelet count >or= 50 x 10(9)/L. Laboratory tests included routine blood count, serum biochemistry, and blood coagulation test.


RESULTS
The duration of the chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia was significantly shorter in the mild group than that in the moderate and severe groups (P < 0.01). After administration of rhTPO, the time of declined platelet count beginning to recover was also significantly shorter in the mild group than that in the moderate and severe groups (P < 0.01). There was a statistically significant difference in platelet transfusion needed among the three groups (P < 0.01). However, no significant difference was found among the three groups in the time of rhTPO treatment (P > 0.05) and platelet count improvement (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Recombinant human thrombopoietin can be effectively and safely administered to deal with grade III/IV chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia in lung cancer patients with mild adverse effects.
Xu
Yun-Hua
YH
Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China.
Chen
Zhi-Wei
ZW
Ye
Xiang-Yun
XY
Lu
Shun
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004244:Dizziness / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D017713:Platelet Transfusion; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D013926:Thrombopoietin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013926:Thrombopoietin