Platelet Growth Factor Aids Hepatitis C Patients

Hepatitis C patients who cannot begin treatment or must discontinue treatment with the drugs currently prescribed because of thrombocytopenia can now do so when also treated with the platelet growth factor interleukin-11 (oprelvekin). The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.


In a study conducted at Georgetown University Hospital (Washington, DC, USA), platelet growth factor was shown to prevent severe thrombocytopenia in hepatitis C patients while platelets increased to safe levels, allowing completion of full-dose therapy with interferon and ribaviron. The study involved four patients with hepatitis C. In two cases, IL-11 was used to correct therapy-induced thrombocytopenia, and in the other two cases, it was started before antiviral therapy to prevent further decreases in platelet counts. All four patients responded favorably to IL-11 and experienced improved platelet levels. IL-11 is currently approved by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for patients undergoing myelosuppressive chemotherapy at high risk of severe thrombocytopenia. IL-11 is manufactured and marketed as Neumega by Wyeth Genetics Institute, a division of American Home Products.

"By its nature, hepatitis C puts patients at risk for thrombocytopenia,” said Dr. William Ershler, a hemotologist on the research team at Georgetown. "We're encouraged by these findings and look forward to exploring Il-11's potential role in the long-term management of this devastating disease.”



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Georgetown University Hospital