Kuolung Hu

Safety and efficacy of romiplostim in patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndrome and thrombocytopenia.

PURPOSE To assess the safety and efficacy of romiplostim, a peptibody that increases platelet production, for treatment of thrombocytopenic patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). PATIENTS AND METHODS Eligible patients had lower-risk MDS (International Prognostic Scoring System low or intermediate 1), a mean baseline platelet count <or= 50 x 10(9)/L, and were only receiving supportive care. Patients received three injections of 300, 700, 1,000, or 1,500 microg romiplostim at weekly intervals. After evaluation of platelet response at week 4, patients could continue to receive romiplostim in a treatment extension phase for up to 1 year. RESULTS All 44 patients who enrolled completed the treatment phase; 41 patients continued into the extension phase. Median platelet counts increased throughout the study, from fewer than 30 x 10(9)/L at baseline to 60, 73, 38, and 58 x 10(9)/L at week 4 for the 300-, 700-, 1,000-, and 1,500 -microg dose cohorts, respectively. A durable platelet response (per International Working Group 2000 criteria for 8 consecutive weeks independent of platelet transfusions) was achieved by 19 patients (46%). The incidence of bleeding events and platelet transfusions was less common among patients who achieved a durable platelet response than those who did not (4.3 v 39.3 per 100 patient-weeks). Forty-three patients (98%) reported one or more adverse events. Treatment-related serious adverse events were reported in five patients (11%), all of whom were in the 1,500-microg dose cohort. Two patients progressed to acute myeloid leukemia during the study. No neutralizing antibodies to either romiplostim or endogenous thrombopoietin were seen. CONCLUSION Romiplostim appeared well-tolerated in this study and may be a useful treatment for patients with MDS and thrombocytopenia.

Phase 2 study of romiplostim in patients with low- or intermediate-risk myelodysplastic syndrome receiving azacitidine therapy

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of romiplostim, a thrombopoietin mimetic, in patients with low- or intermediate-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) receiving azacitidine therapy. Forty patients with low- or intermediate-risk MDS were stratified by baseline platelet counts (< 50 vs ≥ 50 × 10(9)/L) and randomized to romiplostim 500 μg or 750 μg or placebo subcutaneously once weekly during 4 cycles of azacitidine. The primary endpoint was the incidence of clinically significant thrombocytopenic events, defined by grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia starting on day 15 of the first cycle or platelet transfusion at any time during the 4-cycle treatment period. No formal hypothesis testing was planned. The incidence of clinically significant thrombocytopenic events in patients receiving romiplostim 500 μg, romiplostim 750 μg, or placebo was 62%, 71%, and 85%, respectively. The incidence of platelet transfusions was 46%, 36%, and 69%, respectively. These differences were not statistically significant with the small numbers in each group. Romiplostim 750 μg significantly raised median platelet counts during cycle 3 on day 1 (P = .0373) and at the nadir (P = .0035) compared with placebo. Grade 3 rash and arthralgia each were reported in 1 romiplostim-treated patient (4%). This study suggests romiplostim may provide clinical benefits in MDS patients during azacitidine therapy.

Results of a randomized, double-blind study of romiplostim versus placebo in patients with low/intermediate-1–risk myelodysplastic syndrome and thrombocytopenia

Thrombocytopenia in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is associated with shortened survival and an increased risk of evolution to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In this study, the authors evaluated the efficacy of romiplostim in patients who had thrombocytopenia with low‐risk/intermediate‐1–risk MDS.

A randomized controlled trial of romiplostim in patients with low- or intermediate-risk myelodysplastic syndrome receiving decitabine.

Abstract Patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) receiving hypomethylating agents commonly develop thrombocytopenia. This double-blind study evaluated the efficacy and safety of romiplostim, a peptibody protein that increases platelets, in patients with MDS receiving decitabine. Patients received romiplostim 750 μg (n = 15) or placebo (n = 14) and decitabine. Median platelet counts at the beginning of each decitabine cycle trended lower in placebo-treated than in romiplostim-treated patients. Bleeding events occurred in 43% of placebo-treated and 27% of romiplostim-treated patients, and platelet transfusions were administered to 57% of placebo-treated and 47% of romiplostim-treated patients. Overall clinical therapeutic response was achieved by 21% of placebo-treated and 33% of romiplostim-treated patients. Treatment was generally well tolerated. Progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) occurred in one patient per group. Adding romiplostim to decitabine treatment is well tolerated and may be beneficial, as indicated by trends toward higher platelet counts at the beginning of each treatment cycle and lower platelet transfusion rates and percentages of patients with bleeding events.

Subcutaneous or Intravenous Administration of Romiplostim in Thrombocytopenic Patients With Lower Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Romiplostim is a peptibody protein that augments thrombopoiesis by activating the thrombopoietin receptor.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 study evaluating the efficacy and safety of romiplostim treatment of patients with low or intermediate-1 risk myelodysplastic syndrome receiving lenalidomide

BackgroundLenalidomide treatment in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) may lead to thrombocytopenia and dose reductions/delays. This study evaluated the safety and tolerability of the thrombopoietin mimetic romiplostim and its effects on the incidence of clinically significant thrombocytopenic events (CSTEs) in lower risk MDS patients receiving lenalidomide.MethodsPatients were assigned to weekly placebo (n = 12) or romiplostim 500 μg (n = 14) or 750 μg (n = 13) for four 28-day lenalidomide cycles.ResultsThe treatment groups were generally similar with respect to baseline disease characteristics. Del(5q) abnormalities were noted in 1 (8%) patient in the placebo group, 3 (21%) in the romiplostim 500 μg group, and two (15%) in the 750 μg group. CSTEs were noted in 8 (67%) patients in the placebo group, 4 (29%) in the romiplostim 500 μg group, and 8 (62%) in the romiplostim 750 μg group. Throughout the study, median platelet counts trended lower in placebo-treated than in romiplostim-treated patients. Thrombocytopenia-related adjustments in lenalidomide occurred in 6 (50%) patients in the placebo group, 5 (36%) in the romiplostim 500 μg group, and 2 (15%) in the 750 μg group. Although the percentages of patients who received platelet transfusions were similar across treatment groups, there was a trend toward lower numbers of transfusions in both romiplostim groups during each treatment cycle. There were two serious treatment-related adverse events during the treatment period (cerebrovascular accident, placebo; worsening thrombocytopenia, romiplostim 500 μg). Two patients (romiplostim 500 and 750 μg, respectively) had an increase in bone marrow blasts to >20% during treatment, but had no post-treatment biopsy to confirm or exclude the diagnosis of progression to AML.ConclusionsThese data suggest that romiplostim administered to MDS patients during lenalidomide treatment may decrease the frequency of dose reductions/delays due to thrombocytopenia. Additional study is needed to confirm the results of this preliminary trial.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT00418665