Practice Guidelines of the Central European Hepatologic Collaboration (CEHC) on the Use of Thrombopoietin Receptor Agonists in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease Undergoing Invasive Procedures

Background: Second-generation thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RAs) are emerging as the new standard for managing thrombocytopenia (TCP) in patients with chronic liver diseases (CLDs) undergoing scheduled procedures. However, practical guidance for their routine use in CLD patients undergoing specific invasive procedures is lacking. Methods: These practice guidelines were developed by the Initiative Group for Central European Hepatologic Collaboration (CEHC), composed of nine hepatologist/gastroenterologist experts from Central Europe. Using an adapted Delphi process, the CEHC group selected ten invasive procedures most relevant to the hepatology/gastroenterology setting in the region. Consensus recommendations for each invasive procedure are reported as a final percentage of expert panel responses. Results: A consensus was agreed that TPO-RAs should be considered for raising platelet count in CLD patients undergoing scheduled abdominal surgery, high-bleeding risk dentistry, endoscopic polypectomy, endoscopic variceal ligation, liver biopsy, liver surgery, liver transplantation and percutaneous ablation, but it was also agreed that they are less beneficial or not necessary for endoscopy without intervention and paracentesis. Conclusions: Using a modified Delphi method, experts reached an agreement for TCP management in CLD patients undergoing ten invasive procedures. These practice guidelines may help with decision making and patient management in areas where clinical evidence is absent or limited.

Efficacy of Thrombopoietin Receptor Agonists in Evans Syndrome: An International Multicenter Experience

Background: Evans syndrome (ES) is a rare condition, defined as the presence of two autoimmune cytopenias (AIC), more frequently autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) and immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), and rarely autoimmune neutropenia (AIN). ES can be classified as primary or secondary to various conditions, including lymphoproliferative disease (LPD), primary immune deficiencies (PID) or other systemic autoimmune diseases (AID). ES onset may be acute and life-threatening, whilst its clinical course is usually chronic and marked by several relapses of AIHA, ITP or both. First line therapy is based on steroids +/- intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG), followed by rituximab and splenectomy in refractory/relapsing cases. Concerning ITP, splenectomy is not always feasible, and rituximab is poorly effective on the long term. Thrombopoietin receptors agonists (TPO-RA), such as romiplostim (ROMI) and eltrombopag (EPAG), are commonly used in primary ITP with high efficacy; however, their use in ES has never been systematically studied. Aim: to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TPO-RA in a multicentric cohort of patients with ES. Methods: all ES patients treated with TPO-RA at 8 European hematologic hospitals (3 Italian, 2 Danish, 1 United Kingdom and 2 Spanish) were retrospectively evaluated. Baseline hematologic parameters, associated conditions, previous treatments and those administered concomitantly to TPO-RA were registered. The time from diagnosis to first TPO-RA was collected. Response rates were evaluated at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, and classified as partial (PR) or complete (CR), for platelets >30x10^9/L or >100x10^9/L, respectively. Treatment emergent adverse events (TAEs) were registered and graded according to CTCAE. R esults: As shown in Figure 1, 22 ES patients have been evaluated, 9 of whom secondary (40%). Almost all patients had received steroids +/- IVIG, and the majority at least one further line. The median time from diagnosis to TPO-RA start was 25,74 months (1-1390). Response rates to the first TPO-RA (16 EPAG and 6 ROMI) were: 82% at month 1, 84% at month 3, 83% at month 6 and 93% at month12. Eight patients started TPO-RA within 1 year from ES diagnosis. These patients displayed significantly lower platelets (p=0.01) as compared to others, however response rates were comparable. Of note, 73% of patients required concurrent therapies, including steroids +/- IVIG (N=13), danazol (N=2), rituximab (N=3), and immunosuppressants (N=3). Moreover, 7 patients required the addition of a rescue therapy to control ITP (steroids +/- IVIG N=4, rituximab N=1, danazol N=1, daratumumab N=1, immunosuppressants N=2, parsaclisib N=1), particularly in secondary ES (63% vs 33%). The latters less frequently showed increased bone marrow megakaryocytes (67% vs 92%) but had higher dysplasia (50% of patients vs 33% in primary ES). Interestingly, 5 subjects switched to the alternative TPO-RA (3 ROMI to EPAG and 2 vice versa) 2 because of no response (NR), and 3 for relapses. Three subjects responded but required additional therapies, including splenectomy, steroids +/- IVIG, or platelet transfusions. Ten out of 22 patients developed at least one TEAE: G1 thrombocytosis (N=1), G2 bone marrow fibrosis (N=1), G3/4 thrombosis (3 venous and 2 arterial: 1 pulmonary embolism, 1 cerebral vein thrombosis CVT, and 1 splanchnic thrombosis, 1 atrial thrombus and 1 acute myocardial infarction in the same APS patient experiencing CVT). Thrombosis was associated with the presence of secondary ES (p=0.03). Five patients are still receiving TPO-RA, whilst the other stopped because of persistent CR (N=12), thrombosis (N=3), increase in bone marrow reticulin fibrosis (N=1), or death for infectious complication. Conclusions: TPO-RAs were effective in more than 80% of ES patients, even heavily pre-treated. However, TPO-RA use was complicated by a high occurrence of thrombotic events that may be also favored by the underlying conditions. Additionally, TPO-RA required a concomitant therapy in the majority of patients, suggesting that in ES autoimmune platelet destruction cannot be completely overcome by bone marrow stimulation. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Patriarca: Incyte: Honoraria; Argenix: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria. Glenthøj: Sanofi: Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Saniona: Research Funding; Agios: Consultancy; Novo Nordisk: Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy; Alexion: Research Funding; Bluebird Bio: Consultancy. Lund Hansen: Alexion: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding. Frederiksen: Gilead: Research Funding; Alexion: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Janssen Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding. Gonzalez-Lopez: Sobi: Other: Advisory board honoraria; Amgen: Other: Advisory board and speakers honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Other: Advisoryboard and speakers honoraria, Research Funding; Grifols: Other: Advisory board honoraria. Barcellini: Novartis: Honoraria; Agios: Honoraria, Research Funding; Alexion Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria; Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bioverativ: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Fattizzo: Kira: Speakers Bureau; Alexion: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Speakers Bureau; Momenta: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Apellis: Speakers Bureau; Annexon: Consultancy; Amgen: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. OffLabel Disclosure: Thrombopoietin receptor agonists in patients suffered from Evans syndrome when ITP is refractory/relapsing to standard therapies

Thrombopoietin receptor agonists for the treatment of severe persistent and chronic immune trombocytopenia in children: clinical data of Dmitry Rogachev National Medical Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, Immunology

Thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RA) – romiplostim and eltrombopag – changed considerably the therapeutic options for severe persistent and chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). The article presents the results of a retrospective study of TPO-RA efficacy and safety in patients under 18 years of age. The study was approved by the Independent Ethics Committee and Scientific Council of the Dmitry Rogachev National Medical Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology. Sixty-eight children had a total of 89 courses of TPO-RA (44 romiplostim and 45 eltrombopag). Their median age was 6.5 years. The median ITP duration was 15.8 months. All patients received previous ITP therapy (1–6 lines). Before the initiation of TPO-RA, the majority of patients had thrombocytopenia with bleeding. In most cases, the platelet response was achieved within the first 2 months of treatment. The average effective doses of romiplostim and eltrombopag were 10 mg/kg per week and 75 mg per day, respectively. Half of patients in romiplostim group and 62% of patients in eltrombopag group did not require extra therapy. The majority of patients (75.6–81.8%) achieved an overall response, but only near 50% achieved a durable (more than 24 weeks) platelet response. Six patients sustained the response after TPO-RA discontinuation. The most common adverse events (AE) of TPO-RA therapy were transient elevation in hepatic enzymes in eltrombopag group (28.9%) and thrombocytosis (18.2–22.2%) in both groups. In 6 cases the therapy was discontinued due to AEs. Two AEs were serious. Our results demonstrate that TPO-RA could safely increase platelet counts and decrease the risk of spontaneous life-threatening bleeding in nearly half of children with severe persistent and chronic ITP. TPO-RA could help to avoid long-term immunosuppressive therapy and splenectomy or delay them and the ITP remission is possible in some cases.

Off-Label Use of Thrombopoietin Receptor Agonists: Case Series and Review of the Literature

Since their license in 2008, studies on thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RAs) are proceeding at a fast pace. Their favorable efficacy and safety profile makes them good candidates for the management of thrombocytopenia in different settings, even beyond their current indications. In the last 10 years, we faced patients with refractory thrombocytopenia that required treatment with off-label TPO-RA, despite the paucity of data in the literature and the possible risks, particularly that of thrombosis. We hereby report our 10-year real-life single-center experience of TPO-RA used off-label. Fourteen patients were divided into three groups according to the etiology of thrombocytopenia: myelodysplastic syndromes, post-transplantation, and lymphoproliferative diseases. Clinical features and results are reported within each group. Overall, TPO-RA proved effective in all these conditions achieving responses also in heavily pretreated patients. The overall response rate (ORR) was 100% in patients with thrombocytopenia after transplantation and in those with lymphoproliferative diseases and 75% in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes. The median duration of therapy was 285 days (range 93–1,513 days). Four patients (29%) discontinued treatment because of lack of response (n=2) or a sustained response (n=2). No grade 3–4 adverse events occurred, particularly no thrombosis. In our real-life experience, TPO-RAs were effective and safe and proved of value in the challenging management of patients with refractory thrombocytopenia associated with different conditions.