Anagrelide: an update on its mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential

Thrombocytosis is an increasingly recognized clinical problem due to the widespread availability of automated cell counters. While reactive thrombocytosis does not require any therapeutic intervention, clonal thrombocytosis may require therapy to prevent thrombohemorrhagic complications. The clinician has a number of therapeutic options available when confronted with a patient having clonal thrombocytosis. One of these agents is anagrelide (Agrylin, Bristol-Myers Squibb). In this drug profile, a synopsis of the available data on this agent and its role in the control of thrombocytosis will be provided. The main side effects of the medication are discussed, as well as the potential future developments in the field.