Revlimid response, low platelets and transfusion independence

[Birgitta-A]

Hi all,
Here is an abstract about Revlimid and treatment-related cytopenia (especially significant declines in platelet count).

Patients with lower-risk MDS patients who have a 5q deletion more often will be transfusion independent if they react with declines in platelet counts.

These findings support the hypothesis that Revlimid has a direct cytotoxic effect on the del(5q) clone, and that the observation of this effect may be indicative of a transfusion independence response.

http://www.oncologystat.com/journals...Syndromes.html
Kind regards
Birgitta-A

[Neil Cuadra]

The study also found that a major drop in absolute neutrophil count predicted transfusion independence. While it's useful for the doctors to understand how Revlimid works biologically, it's also useful information for 5q- patients, to reassure them that cytopenias (lower blood cell counts) may be a positive sign of progress with Revlimid treatment. We tend to be dismayed at dropping counts, since low counts are the problem we're trying to solve, but ironically low counts can be a good indicator in this case.