ONCOLOGY: New Drug AMG 531 Effective in Splenectomized Patients with Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Audio Journal of Oncology, December 8th, 2007 Reporting from: American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting, December 8-11 2007, Atlanta New Drug AMG 531 Effective in Splenectomized Patients with Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura TERRY GERNSHEIMER, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle REFERENCE: ABSTRACT 2, ASH 2007 An investigational drug AMG 531 has increased and sustained platelet counts in splenectomized patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia purpura or ITP. This was in a placebo controlled phase III trial that randomized patients to receive either the novel agent or a placebo. The new drug increased platelet counts and was also well tolerated. Sarah Maxwell spoke to study author Terry Gernsheimer from the University of Washington during the American Society of Hematology meeting in Atlanta.