Long-term results of prednisone treatment for the anemia of myelofibrosis.

Abstract

This study has retrospectively analyzed the efficacy of single-agent prednisone, usually given after failure of other therapies, in 30 patients with myelofibrosis (MF) and severe anemia. Initial dose was 0.5-1 mg/kg daily, with tapering to the minimum effective dose in responders. Twelve patients (40%) achieved anemia response according to the revised International Working Group for Myelofibrosis Research and Treatment criteria, after a median time of 1.1 months on treatment. Median response duration was 12.3 months. Patients with constitutional symptoms or > 2% circulating blasts had a trend for a lower response rate. A platelet increase > 50 × 10(9)/L was observed in three out of 11 patients with baseline counts < 100 × 10(9)/L. Median survival from prednisone start was significantly longer in anemia responders (5.0 years, 95% CI = 3.5-6.5, vs 1.5 years, 95% CI = 0.2-2.8; p = 0.002). Prednisone can improve the anemia and thrombocytopenia in selected MF patients after failure to standard therapies.

• Authors: Juan-Carlos Hernández-Boluda, Alejandra Martínez-Trillos, Valentín García-Gutiérrez, Francisca Ferrer-Marín, Blanca Xicoy, Alberto Alvarez-Larrán, Ana Kerguelen, Pere Barba, Montse Gómez, Juan-Carlos Herrera, Juan-Gonzalo Correa, Francisco Cervantes
• Journal: Leukemia & lymphoma (Leuk Lymphoma) Vol. 57 Issue 1 Pg. 120-4 ( 2016) ISSN: 1029-2403 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25944376 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Immunosuppressive Agents
• Prednisone

Topics

• Aged
• Anemia (diagnosis, drug therapy, etiology)
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Bone Marrow (pathology)
• Erythrocyte Indices
• Female
• Humans
• Immunosuppressive Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Mutation
• Prednisone (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Primary Myelofibrosis (complications, diagnosis, genetics)
• Retrospective Studies
• Treatment Outcome