Nplate compared to standard of care therapy in ITP patients

Amgen Inc. announced the publication of results from the first open-label study to compare Nplate (romiplostim) treatment to standard of care therapies (SOC) in non-splenectomized adult patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). The study results, which were published in the NEJM show that both the incidence of treatment failure and need for splenectomy were reduced among the Nplate-treated patients. Data also showed that patients receiving SOC therapies required splenectomies earlier when compared with patients treated with Nplate. Additionally, patients in the Nplate group experienced increased platelet counts, higher platelet response rates, less bleeding, and fewer blood transfusions compared to patients in the SOC group. Adverse events associated with Nplate treatment were similar to those in previous studies, were generally mild or moderate in severity, and did not result in treatment discontinuation. Dr. David J. Kuter, head of Hematology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston,lead investigator and study author. see- Romiplostim or Standard of Care in Patients with Immune Thrombocytopenia .romiplostim or standard of care in patients with immune thrombocytopenia. November 11, 2010 Kuter D.J., Rummel M., Boccia R., et al.N Engl J Med 2010; 363:1889 - 1899.