Successful treatment of Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) with the thrombopoietin-mimetic romiplostim.
BACKGROUND
Romiplostim is a second-generation thrombopoietic receptor agonist that exerts its therapeutic effect by stimulating megakaryopoiesis.


METHODS
We report a patient with immune thrombocytopenic purpura refractory to other therapies including splenectomy, which was successfully managed with romiplostim. More specifically, the patient's platelet count showed a 3-fold increase within 7 days following the first dose of romiplostim (from 33 x 10(9)/l to 96 x 10(9)/l).


CONCLUSIONS
Romiplostin is a new trombopoietin peptide mimetic drug, which seems to be very effective for the management of refractory chronic ITP in adults.
Meletis
John
J
1st Department of Internal Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Laikon General Hospital, Athens, Greece. imeletis@med.uoa.gr
Katsandris
Aikaterini
A
Raptis
Sophia D
SD
Mantzourani
Marina
M
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011961:Receptors, Fc / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013926:Thrombopoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011961:Receptors, Fc; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D013926:Thrombopoietin; C488777:romiplostim