Effect of recombinant human interleukin-3 (rhIL-3) on persisting chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia

Abstract

A 57 year old woman with heavily pretreated advanced vaginal cancer (FIGO III) developed severe thrombocytopenia (7000/microliter) with bleedings after chemotherapy. This patient was treated with recombinant human interleukin-3 (rhIL-3) after 26 platelet transfusions (25 pooled transfusions and one HLA-matched platelet transfusion) had not been effective. Increase of thrombocyte counts began 2 days after rhIL-3 therapy. Side-effects due to rhIL-3 administration (flu-like symptoms) were mild and could be treated effectively with paracetamol and clemastin. These data support first evidence for efficacy of rhIL-3 in chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia and may open new perspectives for its clinical application.