title: Eltrombopag therapy in newly diagnosed steroid non-responsive ITP patients.
abstract: Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder characterised by isolated thrombocytopenia (peripheral blood platelet count <100 × 10(9)/L) in the absence of other causes or disorders that may be associated with thrombocytopenia. The upfront treatment in newly diagnosed ITP patients is steroids; however, about one-third patients do not respond, and require other treatment, including IVIg, anti-D, or splenectomy. Previous studies have shown decreased platelet production in some ITP patients, aside from the evidence of enhanced platelet destruction. Thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RA), such as eltrombopag have been shown to provide good response in steroid non-responsive chronic ITP patients. We have studied response to eltrombopag in 25 newly diagnosed steroid non-responsive ITP patients; 80 % patients showed response at the end of 1 month, and 76 % sustained response at the end of 3 months. The platelet count rose from a mean value of 17.5 ± 3.6-152.5 ± 107.9 × 10(9)/L at the end of 1 month. Our results suggest a possible role of eltrombopag in newly diagnosed steroid non-responsive ITP patients. However, our study is limited in that it is a single-centre study, with a small sample size, and lacks a long-term safety profile. Our findings highlight the potential value of a larger prospective study on the upfront use of TPO-RA in patients of ITP.
authors: Department of Clinical Hematology and Medical Oncology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, 226003, U.P., India.
authors: Anil Kumar
authors: AK
authors: Tripathi
authors: Ayush
authors: A
authors: Shukla
authors: Sanjay
authors: S
authors: Mishra
authors: Yogendra Singh
authors: YS
authors: Yadav
authors: Deependra Kumar
authors: DK
authors: Yadav
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001565:Benzoates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006834:Hydrazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D053628:Receptors, Thrombopoietin / Q000819:agonists*; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001565:Benzoates; D006834:Hydrazines; D011720:Pyrazoles; D053628:Receptors, Thrombopoietin; D013256:Steroids; C520809:eltrombopag