THE EFFECT OF rhIL-11 ON CHEMOTHERAPY-INDUCED THROMBOCYTOPENIA IN CHILDREN WITH ACUTE LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA

Objective To investigate the efficacy of recombinant human interleukin-11(rhIL-11) in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia in children acute lymphocytic leukemia(ALL). Methods Thirty-one newly diagnosed ALL patients in 2007—2008 at Qingdao Children Hospital and the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University Medical College were enrolled in this study.Intra-hypodermic(ih) injection of 50 μg/kg or 1.5 mg/d of rhIL-11 was given to patients when their platelet count was lower than 50×109/L after CAT consolidation chemotherapy.The rhIL-11 treatment either lasted for 7—14 days or continued until platelet count was normal.Thirty-three new ALL patients between year 2000 and 2001 confirmed at the Affiliated Hospital were served as control group,in which the same above therapy was given except rhIL-11 after CAT consolidation chemotherapy. Results Upon completion of the therapy,the platelet count between the two groups was not significantly different,but the difference was obvious after 7 and 14 days after rhIL-11 treatment(t=3.275,3.198;P0.01).The recovery time of platelet count was significantly shorter in the study group than that in the control(t=2.425,P0.05).After application of rhIL-11,only one patient had joint pain of lower extremity and fatigue,four had pain on injection site,and one with dizziness.All the symptoms relieved after discontinuation of rhIL-11. Conclusion Administration of rhIL-11 can significantly increase platelet count in children with acute lymphocytic leukemia after chemotherapy and shorten the time for platelet returning to normal level with few side effects.