Danazol for ITP – pro
Danazol stimulates erythropoiesis (there is a smaller effect on thrombopoiesis as well.Danazol is an attenuated androgen. Response rates
vary widely—from 10% to 70%—between studies.63-69 One factor that may account for this variation is heterogeneity in dosing, with some
studies investigating low-dose danazol (50 mg orally once per day)64, compared with conventional dosing (400 to 800 mg divided into 2 to 4
doses per day).63,66,67,69The effect of danazol appears to be greatest when patients are able to remain on therapy for a prolonged period. In a series of
96 patients, 7 (70%) of the 10 patients in whom danazol therapy was discontinued relapsed within 6 months. Responses were more
durable for patients who remained on therapy for at least 1 year.
Cindy Neunert et al, The American Society of Hematology 2011 evidence-based practice guideline for immune thrombocytopenia. April 21, 2011; Blood: 117 (16)
Cuker A, Neunert CE, How I treat refractory immune thrombocytopenia.Blood. 2016 Sep 22;128(12):1547-54.
Liu W et al, The Effect of Danazol in Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia: An Analysis of a Large Cohort From a Single Center in China.Clin Appl Thromb Hemost. 2016 Nov;22(8):727-733.