A retrospective pilot evaluation of switching thrombopoietic receptor-agonists in immune thrombocytopenia

Haematologica. 2013 Jun;98(6):881-7. doi: 10.3324/haematol.2012.074633. Epub 2013 Feb 26.

Abstract

Romiplostim and eltrombopag, the first thrombopoietic receptor-agonists with demonstrated efficacy against immune thrombocytopenia in prospective controlled studies, were recently authorized in most countries for adults with chronic immune thrombocytopenia. So far, no data are available about the potential contribution of switching from romiplostim to eltrombopag or vice versa in terms of efficacy or tolerance. Efficacies and tolerance profiles were evaluated for 46 patients who sequentially received both drugs, switching from one to the other. The reasons for switching were: lack of efficacy for 23 patients, platelet-count fluctuations for 11, side effects for 4, and 8 patients' preferences. For 50-80% of the patients, switching from romiplostim to eltrombopag or eltrombopag to romiplostim effectively impacted the platelet count, with fluctuations disappearing in 54% and side effects resolved in 100%. In 80% of the patients, the 2 thrombopoietic receptor-agonists achieved similar response patterns. Our results confirmed that switching from one thrombopoietic receptor-agonist to the other could be beneficial in clinical practice for patients with severe chronic immune thrombopenia who failed to respond or experienced adverse events to the first. (Clinical Trials.gov identifier: NCT01618734).

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Benzoates / administration & dosage
  • Benzoates / adverse effects
  • Benzoates / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Substitution
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydrazines / administration & dosage
  • Hydrazines / adverse effects
  • Hydrazines / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pilot Projects
  • Platelet Count
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / drug therapy*
  • Pyrazoles / administration & dosage
  • Pyrazoles / adverse effects
  • Pyrazoles / therapeutic use*
  • Receptors, Fc / administration & dosage
  • Receptors, Fc / therapeutic use*
  • Receptors, Thrombopoietin / agonists*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / adverse effects
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / therapeutic use*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Thrombopoietin / administration & dosage
  • Thrombopoietin / adverse effects
  • Thrombopoietin / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Benzoates
  • Hydrazines
  • Pyrazoles
  • Receptors, Fc
  • Receptors, Thrombopoietin
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Thrombopoietin
  • romiplostim
  • eltrombopag

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01618734