Research
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 study evaluating the efficacy and safety of romiplostim treatment of patients with low or intermediate-1 risk myelodysplastic syndrome receiving lenalidomide
1 Leukemia Service, Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
2 Cancer Care Centers of South Texas/US Oncology, 4411 Medical Drive, Suite 100, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
3 Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, MC-2115, Chicago, Illinois, 60637, USA
4 Cancer and Blood Disease Center, 421 N. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto, Florida, 34461, USA
5 Westchester Medical Center, Munger Pavilion 250, Valhalla, New York, 10595, USA
6 Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers/US Oncology, 3027 North Circle Drive, Colorado Springs, CO, 80909, USA
7 Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave. N, D1-100, Seattle, Washington, 98109, USA
8 Amgen Inc., One Amgen Center Drive, Thousand Oaks, California, 91320, USA
Journal of Hematology & Oncology 2012, 5:71 doi:10.1186/1756-8722-5-71
Published: 29 November 2012Abstract
Background
Lenalidomide treatment in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) may lead to thrombocytopenia and dose reductions/delays. This study evaluated the safety and tolerability of the thrombopoietin mimetic romiplostim and its effects on the incidence of clinically significant thrombocytopenic events (CSTEs) in lower risk MDS patients receiving lenalidomide.
Methods
Patients were assigned to weekly placebo (n = 12) or romiplostim 500 μg (n = 14) or 750 μg (n = 13) for four 28-day lenalidomide cycles.
Results
The treatment groups were generally similar with respect to baseline disease characteristics. Del(5q) abnormalities were noted in 1 (8%) patient in the placebo group, 3 (21%) in the romiplostim 500 μg group, and two (15%) in the 750 μg group. CSTEs were noted in 8 (67%) patients in the placebo group, 4 (29%) in the romiplostim 500 μg group, and 8 (62%) in the romiplostim 750 μg group. Throughout the study, median platelet counts trended lower in placebo-treated than in romiplostim-treated patients. Thrombocytopenia-related adjustments in lenalidomide occurred in 6 (50%) patients in the placebo group, 5 (36%) in the romiplostim 500 μg group, and 2 (15%) in the 750 μg group. Although the percentages of patients who received platelet transfusions were similar across treatment groups, there was a trend toward lower numbers of transfusions in both romiplostim groups during each treatment cycle. There were two serious treatment-related adverse events during the treatment period (cerebrovascular accident, placebo; worsening thrombocytopenia, romiplostim 500 μg). Two patients (romiplostim 500 and 750 μg, respectively) had an increase in bone marrow blasts to >20% during treatment, but had no post-treatment biopsy to confirm or exclude the diagnosis of progression to AML.
Conclusions
These data suggest that romiplostim administered to MDS patients during lenalidomide treatment may decrease the frequency of dose reductions/delays due to thrombocytopenia. Additional study is needed to confirm the results of this preliminary trial.
Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00418665
