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Review
. 2010 Jul 21:4:139-45.
doi: 10.2147/dddt.s8601.

Eltrombopag--a novel approach for the treatment of chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura: review and safety considerations

Lucy Cook  1 , Nichola Cooper
Affiliations
Review

Eltrombopag--a novel approach for the treatment of chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura: review and safety considerations

Lucy Cook et al. Drug Des Devel Ther. .

Abstract

Eltrombopag is one of a number of novel agents recently developed for use in the treatment of patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Rather than preventing destruction of platelets, these agents increase the production of platelets, presumably overwhelming the immune system resulting in normal platelet counts in individuals refractory to or dependent on other therapies. These treatments are well tolerated and in randomized controlled trials show an improvement in platelet counts and a reduction in bleeding in refractory patients. This article summarizes the development of this new class of drug and evaluates the safety and efficacy of eltrombopag in patients with ITP.

Keywords: eltrombopag; immune thrombocytopenic purpura; thrombopoietin.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
TPO binds the distal part of the inactive TPO (cMPL) receptor and creates an activated receptor that initiates many downstream signal transduction events (JAK STAT and mitogen activated protein kinase signal pathways) whereas eltrombopag interacts with the transmembrane domain of c-MPL. Reproduced with permission from Kuter DJ. New thrombopoietic growth factors. Blood. 2007;109(11): 4607–4616. Copyright © 2007 The American Society of Hematology.
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