ABSTRACT
Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a common hematologic disorder. Its pathogenesis involves both accelerated platelet destruction and impaired platelet production. First-line agents are usually effective initially but do not provide long-term responses. Splenectomy remains an effective long-term therapy, as does rituximab (Rituxan) in a subset of patients. Thrombopoietic agents offer a new alternative, although their place in the overall management of ITP remains uncertain.
Footnotes
↵* The author has disclosed that he has received honoraria from GlaxoSmithKline and Amgen for teaching and speaking.
- Copyright © 2011 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All Rights Reserved.
- Director, Benign Hematology, Department of Hematologic Oncology and Blood Disorders, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic
- Department of Cell Biology, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
- ADDRESS:
Keith McCrae, MD, Department of Hematologic Oncology and Blood Disorders, R4-018, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195; e-mail mccraek{at}ccf.org.
ABSTRACT
Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a common hematologic disorder. Its pathogenesis involves both accelerated platelet destruction and impaired platelet production. First-line agents are usually effective initially but do not provide long-term responses. Splenectomy remains an effective long-term therapy, as does rituximab (Rituxan) in a subset of patients. Thrombopoietic agents offer a new alternative, although their place in the overall management of ITP remains uncertain.
Footnotes
↵* The author has disclosed that he has received honoraria from GlaxoSmithKline and Amgen for teaching and speaking.
- Copyright © 2011 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All Rights Reserved.