New thrombopoietic growth factors.

Although development of first-generation thrombopoietic growth factors (recombinant human thrombopoietin [TPO] and pegylated recombinant human megakaryocyte growth and development factor [PEG-rHuMGDF]) was stopped due to development of antibodies to PEG-rHuMGDF, nonimmunogenic second-generation thrombopoietic growth factors with unique pharmacologic properties have been developed. TPO peptide mimetics contain TPO receptor-activating peptides inserted into complementarity-determining regions of Fab (Fab 59), attached to the IgG Fc region (AMG 531), or pegylated (Peg-TPOmp). Orally available, TPO nonpeptide mimetics (eltrombopag, AKR-501) bind and activate the TPO receptor by a mechanism different from TPO and may have an additive effect to TPO. TPO agonist antibodies are monoclonal antibodies activating the TPO receptor but modified in size [TPO minibodies; ie, VB22B sc(Fv)(2)] or immunoglobuln type (domain subclass-converted TPO agonist antibodies; ie, MA01G4G344). All second-generation thrombopoietic growth factors stimulate growth of TPO-dependent cell lines via JAK2/STAT signaling pathways and increase platelet counts in animals. When tested in healthy humans, TPO peptide and nonpeptide mimetics produced a dose-dependent rise in platelet count. AMG 531 and eltrombopag markedly increase platelet counts in patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura, without significant adverse effects. One or more second-generation thrombopoietic growth factors should soon be clinically available for treating thrombocytopenic disorders.