Anagrelide in Essential Thrombocythemia (ET): Results from 150 patients over 25 years by the "Ph1-negative Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Latium Group".

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS:

Anagrelide is a drug effective in reducing platelet counts in essential thrombocythemia (ET) and Ph1-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the real-life use of anagrelide in patients with ET followed over 25 years at the Haematological Institutes belonging to "Ph1-negative Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Latium Group."

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Eligibility criteria were diagnosis of ET and treatment with anagrelide. Data were collected through an ad hoc case report form.

RESULTS:

One hundred and fifty patients received anagrelide for a median time of 7.4 years (0.1-23.2). Anagrelide was administered as first-line therapy in 34.7% of patients, as second-line in 52% and as third-line in 13.3%: 85.4% responded to therapy. Sixty-eight/136 evaluable patients reported side effects: palpitations, peripheral vasodilation, anaemia, diarrhoea and gastric distress. Fourteen thrombotic (arterial 10, venous 4) and 51 bleeding events (minor 48, major 3) occurred. Sixteen/150 (10.6%) patients developed secondary myelofibrosis and 3/150 (2%) an acute myeloid leukaemia.

CONCLUSIONS:

In our experience, anagrelide is an effective drug in reducing platelet levels in a high percentage of patients with ET. It is especially addressed to younger people. A careful assessment of the thrombotic risk and monitoring of cardiac function, at diagnosis and during follow-up, is mandatory.

• Authors: Maria Gabriella Mazzucconi, Ermina Baldacci, Roberto Latagliata, Massimo Breccia, Francesca Paoloni, Ambra Di Veroli, Michele Cedrone, Barbara Anaclerico, Nicoletta Villivà, Raffaele Porrini, Enrico Montefusco, Alessandro Andriani, Marco Montanaro, Laura Scaramucci, Antonio Spadea, Angela Rago, Giuseppe Cimino, Francesca Spirito, Cristina Santoro
• Journal: European journal of haematology (Eur J Haematol) Vol. 105 Issue 3 Pg. 335-343 (Sep 2020) ISSN: 1600-0609 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 32441419 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study)
• Copyright: © 2020 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Chemical References

• Quinazolines
• anagrelide

Topics

• Adult
• Age Factors
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Anemia (diagnosis, etiology)
• Disease Management
• Disease Susceptibility
• Drug Substitution
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Health Care Surveys
• Humans
• Italy (epidemiology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pregnancy
• Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic
• Prognosis
• Quinazolines (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Retreatment
• Retrospective Studies
• Thrombocythemia, Essential (diagnosis, drug therapy, epidemiology, etiology)
• Thrombosis
• Treatment Outcome
• Young Adult