Eltrombopag decreased bleeding episodes and improved platelet counts in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

Purpura :: Eltrombopag decreased bleeding episodes and improved platelet counts in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) today announced additional results from an international Phase II short-term, six-week study of its investigational non-peptide oral platelet growth factor, eltrombopag. Analysis of data from this study showed that eltrombopag at 50mg or 75mg, resulted in a positive trend in decrease in bleeding incidence (all grades) in adult patients with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), an autoimmune condition which results in low blood platelet counts and bleeding from the small blood vessels. These data were presented today at the 48th Annual American Society of Hematology (ASH) meeting in Orlando, Florida.

The primary efficacy data from this study of (a statistically significant increase in platelet counts at 50mg and 75mg doses) were previously presented at the European Society of Hematology in June 2006.

?Current treatments for ITP, such as steroids or the removal of the spleen, have limitations and side effects,? says James B. Bussel, MD, director of the PlateletDisordersCenter, Children's Blood Foundation Division at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center and principal investigator for this trial. ?Bleeding events caused by ITP, whether categorized as moderate or severe, are of great concern to patients and physicians. These study results indicate there is a potential new oral treatment that can reduce bleeding episodes.?