Eltrombopag, a thrombopoietin- receptor agonist in the treatment of adult chronic immune thrombocytopenia: a review of the efficacy and safety profile.

Chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by a low platelet count that has persisted for more than 12 months. Patients may be asymptomatic but those with severe disease may have significant morbidity and require treatment. Corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin are recommended as first-line treatments. Recently, two thrombopoietin-receptor agonists, romiplostim and eltrombopag have been licensed for the treatment of chronic ITP. The current indications for thrombopoietin-receptor agonists are for splenectomized adult patients with chronic ITP who are refractory to other treatments and adult nonsplenectomized patients in whom splenectomy is contraindicated. This article reviews data on the pharmacology, clinical efficacy and safety profile of eltrombopag in the treatment of ITP.