Background/Aim: Thrombopoietin receptor agonists (romiplostim and eltrombopag) have recently been licensed for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) with an insufficient response to corticosteroids, immunoglobulins or splenectomy. In the present case series, we present 4 nonresponding patients with chronic ITP who achieved maintenance of complete response (CR) for a period of at least 6 months on eltrombopag treatment administered in a modified regimen of 25 mg for 2, 3 or 5 days a week. Methods: The present study is a retrospective, nonconsecutive case series of 4 eltrombopag-treated patients with chronic ITP. Secondary ITP had been excluded in each patient, first-line therapy had failed and splenectomy had been refused. Furthermore, each patient was treated with eltrombopag, which resulted in a CR for a mean of 2 months. Consequently, decreased eltrombopag dosages have been able to maintain long-term CR. Results/Conclusion: Despite the low quality of evidence, our study results support the use of reduced-dose eltrombopag as a maintenance therapy after achieving CR. It seems a very promising strategy for the effective maintenance of response, improving health-related quality of life, lowering costs and possibly improving the safety in the treatment of ITP.

Keywords:
Eltrombopag, Immune thrombocytopenia, Maintenance treatment, Thrombopoietin receptor agonists
© 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
2014
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.