[Evaluation of recombinant human thrombopoietin in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia in lung cancer patients].

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of recombinant human thrombopoietin （rhTPO） in treatment for chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia in patients with lung cancer. Methods Fiftyone lung cancer patients with platelet count 〈 100 x 10^9/L after chemotherapy were enrolled into this study. They were divided into three groups： mild, moderate and severe thrombocytopenia groups according to the platelet count, rhTPO was subcutaneously administered at a dosage of 300 μg · kg^-1 · d^-1 until the platelet count ≥ 100 ×10^9/L or absolute value of platelet count ≥ 50 × 10^9/L. Laboratory tests included routine blood count, serum biochemistry, and blood coagulation test. Results The duration of the chemotherapy- induced thrombocytopenia was significantly shorter in the mild group than that in the moderate and severe groups （P 〈0. 01 ）. After administration of rhTPO, the time of declined platelet count beginning to recover was also significantly shorter in the mild group than that in the moderate and severe groups （P 〈 0.01 ）. There was a statistically significant difference in platelet transfusion needed among the three groups （ P 〈 0.01 ）. However, no significant difference was found among the three groups in the time of rhTPO treatment （P 〉 0.05） and platelet count improvement （P 〉 0. 05）. Conclusion Recombinant human thrombopaietin can be effectively and safely administered to deal with grade Ⅲ/Ⅳ chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia in lung cancer patients with mild adverse effects. Key words: Thrombocytopenia;  Recombinant human thrombopoietin;  Lung neoplasms