Clinical study of rhIL-11 for the management of chemotherapyinduced thrombocytopenia

Objective: To observe the effectiveness and safety profile of recombinate human interleukin 11 (rhIL-11) in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia. Methods: Twenty patients (47 cycles) with chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia received rhIL-11 at the dose of 25 μg·kg-1·d-1 subcutaneously for 6 days. The chemotherapy regimen and treatment intensity remained unchanged in the same patient. Results: Baseline platelet counts before the 1st and 2nd cycles of chemotherapy were (165.0±65.2)×109/L and (346.4±78.3)×109/L, and rhIL-11 was given for (7.0±5.7) days and (4.5±6.7)days in the 1st and 2nd cycles, respectively. Median duration of a post-chemotherapy platelet count below 50×109/L were (5.0±3.6)days and (3.5±3.9)days for the 1st and 2nd cycles, respectively. The median time required for a platelet recovery was 4 days. Platelet count reached 400×109/L in 12 chemotherapy cycles. The maximum platelet count appeared at day 17 after rhIL-11 administration. Major adverse reaction included edema, headache, and muscle and joint pain. Conclusion: rhIL-11 is an effective and safe agent for the management of chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia, with a relatively slow but sustained recovery of platelet count.