Anyone with AA have experience with Eltrombopag?
 

Hello Everyone,

My father was diagnosed with VSAA in November 2014. He has had 5 days ATG with cyclosporine since. To date, we have seen to improvement in his levels at all. Currently his wbc is .3, rbc, 5.6 and platelets, 10. I have asked our hemotologist about Eltrombopag and she seemed to dismiss it as something that wouldn't help since it was for platelets, however everything I've read online seems to suggest that Eltrombopag has shown to help wbc and rbc too.

Has anyone out there had any experience with this or any other different drugs? Wondering if anybody else's doctor has a different view.
Any stories and outcomes would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

If you do a search on Eltrombopag you should come up with something. There was a lady from NZ whose father was being given this drug earlier this year.

Sorry she dismissed you so quickly. Makes you wonder how much experience she has treating aplastic anemia. You may have to print out the studies supporting its use for Aplastic Anemia for her. You can also check with the NIH to see if they are still doing any clinical trials on it too.

Maybe a second opinion is in order too.

http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials...archid=8746363

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/830470

I think it may be too soon to try it though since he just had treatment. But it's worth checking out how soon after ATG he can try it.

prayingrbc
 

Hi there,

Various studies (NIH US)have shown that Eltrombopag can be used successfully to raise blood counts in all bloodlines for patients with severe AA. Early days of course, as there is a lack of long-term experience, but nevertheless enough positive results to make it worth a try.
If your father only had ATG etc Nov. then may be worth waiting a bit as they say can take 6 months or more for a response.
My husband (57 years old- diagnosed April 2012 very severe AA) had minimal response to ATG and things only started to look up when he began taking full dosage Eltrombopag (along with Cyclosporine). On full dosage he had positive response in all bloodlines. He took Eltrom. from Dec. 2012 until Sep, 2014 . So far so good and has maintained counts. Can never be too sure with these illnesses and everyone preacts differently but Eltrombopag has certainly imporoved quality of life for my husband.
We live in Switzerland and fortunately the Uni. hospital where we go are very up on recent research and willing to give new possibilities a try.
Best of luck to your father. He is lucky to have you helping him.
Sue H.