Positioning new treatments in the management of immune thrombocytopenia

AbstractImmune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a syndrome characterized by low platelet counts and an increased risk of bleeding. For most children, ITP is a self‐limiting disease; however, for some children and most adults, thrombocytopenia can become chronic. Newer therapies for ITP include rituximab and thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor agonists. Rituximab is a useful second‐line therapy and may be splenectomy‐sparing. Thrombopoeitin receptor agonists have demonstrated large treatment effects with respect to increasing platelet levels; however, they require maintenance dosing. This review summarizes how these new agents might be positioned in the management of patients with chronic ITP. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 60: S19–S22. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Positioning new treatments in the management of immune thrombocytopenia Journal Articles