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Ferrata Storti Foundation, Haematologica, 6(98), p. 881-887

DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2012.074633

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

This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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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 half of them, platelet-count fluctuations for 11, side effects for 4 and 8 patients' preferences. For 50% to 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 1 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(s) to the first. (Clinical Trials.gov identifier: NCT01618734).