Vincristine sulfate for the treatment of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura refractory to plasma-exchange. The Italian Cooperative Group for TTP

Eur J Haematol. 1994 Apr;52(4):222-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0609.1994.tb00649.x.

Abstract

Among all the patients treated by the Italian Cooperative Group for TTP, we retrospectively reviewed the results obtained using vincristine (VCR) in 8 TTP patients (4 men and 4 women, average age: 39.25 years, range: 23-48) who did not respond to combined apheretic and pharmacologic treatment. All patients, after failing to respond to treatment, were started on VCR at the dose of 2 mg, i.v., once a week. Despite this treatment, 4 patients (50%) died 1, 7, 12 and 25 days after the first VCR dose, respectively. The other 4 patients who received VCR achieved complete remission 24, 30, 40 and 50 days from the beginning of the treatment. Total doses of VCR ranged from 2 to 6 mg in the decreased group, and from 6 to 14 mg in the cured patients. In our experience, VCR is a promising agent to treat TTP patients resistant to conventional plasma-exchange and pharmacologic therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Plasma Exchange
  • Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / drug therapy*
  • Vincristine / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Vincristine