Promacta for low platelets of acute leukemia or myelodysplasia
Low platelet counts are a frequent symptom in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Eltrombopag(Promacta) might be a new option to treat this problem in these diseases, provided that it can be shown that it does not stimulate malignant growht. Unfortunately, there is no significant literature to support Promacta in the setting of ongoing treatment for AML with Vidaza or in MDS. Currenlty PROMACTA is not indicated for the treatment of thrombocytopenia due to causes of thrombocytopenia (eg, myelodysplasia or chemotherapy) other than chronic ITP. Several studies showed that Eltrombopag was capable of increasing platelet production in patients with AML and MDS but the clinical significance of this observation remains unclear. Promacta is currenlty in a study: Eltrombopag in Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) Patients With Thrombocytopenia, NCT01286038.
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