Romiplostim Supports Platelet Counts in Pediatric Patients Treated for Solid Tumors in Research Study

Hackensack University Medical Center physicians helped show drug effectiveness addressing the potential chemotherapy side effect of thrombocytopenia

Low platelet counts are a possible serious side effect of chemotherapy, but the drug romiplostim has shown promise to support platelet counts to minimize the need for transfusions in pediatric patients, according to a recent study.

During fellowships at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital physicians contributed to the research, which recently showed that use of romiplostim in patients being treated for pediatric solid tumors increased platelet counts over time and assisted in platelet recovery.

Chemotherapy drugs can damage bone marrow leading to thrombocytopenia, a low platelet count. Symptoms may include bruising and bleeding, and patients are at an increased risk of bleeding. Thrombocytopenia is a common side effect of chemotherapy, and can delay treatment.

Treatment options have included medications, platelet transfusions, and adjustments to chemotherapy dosages or schedules. This latest study shows promise for a new drug treatment option for pediatric patients with solid tumors.

Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health hematologist/oncologists Dr. Melanie Degliuomini and Dr. Katherine Armstrong presented their findings at the 2022 American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting.

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