Romiplostim is a thrombopoietin receptor agonist that can be used to treat thrombocytopenia. It works by binding to and activating the thrombopoietin receptor on megakaryocyte precursors, which stimulates multiple cell signaling pathways and increases platelet production. Studies have shown romiplostim to be effective at improving platelet counts in conditions like immune thrombocytopenia, aplastic anemia, chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia, hematopoietic syndrome of acute radiation syndrome, liver disease, and as pre-procedure treatment for thrombocytopenia. Romiplostim has a versatile role in treating thrombocytopenia from various causes.
Dr. Pritish Chandra Patra discusses the management of thrombocytopenia using Romiplostim.
A study shows normal platelet count ranges from 150,000-450,000/microL with mean values higher in females (266,000) than males (237,000).
Thrombocytopenia is defined as a count below 150,000/microL, classified into mild (100K-150K), moderate (50K-99K), and severe (<50K) with risks of bleeding.
Causes include decreased production, ineffective production, increased destruction and consumption, platelet sequestration, and combinations of these mechanisms.
TPO is produced in the liver, kidney, striated muscle, and bone marrow, regulating megakaryocyte proliferation and platelet production.
Overview of the development of TPO receptor agonists.
Romiplostim is a peptibody that activates TPO receptors in the bone marrow, similar to natural TPO.
Approved uses of Eltrombopag and Romiplostim in conditions like ITP and aplastic anemia.
64% of patients resumed chemotherapy after CIT with Romiplostim, supporting its effectiveness over 6 months.
Initial and maximum Romiplostim doses for CIT are outlined, noting increased risk of venous thromboembolism.
Romiplostim enhances recovery from HS-ARS via multiple mechanisms, with a recommended dose of 10 mcg/kg.
Romiplostim improves platelet counts in chronic liver disease and is used in various liver disease scenarios.
Romiplostim effectively increases platelet counts for surgical procedures across various pathologies.
Common causes of thrombocytopenia in ICU include sepsis, DIC, drug effects, and others.
In sepsis, thrombocytopenia is attributed to high consumption rates despite heightened platelet production.
Platelet recovery post-septic shock occurs on average several days after vasopressor discontinuation, median 2 days.
Considerations for TPO-RA administration, monitoring needs, and caution advised when discontinuing Romiplostim.
TPO is vital in platelet production; Romiplostim increases counts, reducing transfusions and bleeding risks.
Various applications of TPO-RA include treating ITP, aplastic anemia, liver disease, and chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia.
Presentation wraps up with a summary of Romiplostim's clinical significance and applications.
Discussion of the mechanisms of action for Romiplostim vs Eltrombopag.
Evaluating platelet indices such as MPV and P-LCR, utilizing automated analyzers.
Updates on Romiplostim's approval for use in Hematopoietic Syndrome of Acute Radiation Syndrome (HS-ARS).
A normal plateletcount
• A study from the USA involving over 12,000 adults in the National Health and Nutrition
Examination Survey (NHANES) database found the following:
• Platelet count
• Range from: 150,000 - 450,000/microL
• Slightly higher mean values in females (266,000/microL) than males (237,000/microL)
• Slightly higher in younger people than older people
3.
What is alow platelet count?
• Thrombocytopenia- defined as a platelet count below the lower limit of normal: <150,000/microL
• Degrees of thrombocytopenia- further subdivided into
• Mild (100,000 - 150,000/microL)
• Moderate (50,000 - 99,000/microL)
• Severe (<50,000/microL)
• Numbers Vs underlying disease (eg, in ITP, platelet count <30,000/microL - severe thrombocytopenia)
• Clinical significance- Severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count <30,000 - 50,000/microL)
• greater risk of bleeding- intracranial
• implies a greater likelihood for needing treatment
Thrombopoietin (TPO)
• Producedin
• Liver- parenchymal cells & sinusoidal endothelial cells
• Kidney- proximal convoluted tubule cells
• Striated muscle
• Bone marrow stromal cells
• TPO is bound to the surface of platelets and
megakaryocytes by the MPL receptor.
• TPO regulates the differentiation
of megakaryocytes and platelets.
• Inside the platelets it gets destroyed, while inside the
megakaryocytes it gives the signal of their maturation
and consecutively more platelet production.
Kaushansky K (May 2006). "Lineage-specific hematopoietic growth factors". The New England Journal of Medicine. 354 (19): 2034–45.
Bussel JB et al. A Review of Romiplostim Mechanism of Action and Clinical Applicability. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2021 May 26;15:2243-2268.
6.
Generations of TPO-RA
DavidJ. Kuter. New Thrombopoietic Growth Factors. Clinical Lymphoma & Myeloma, Vol. 9, Suppl. 3, S347-S356, 2009
7.
TPO-RA: Romiplostim VsEltrombopag
• Romiplostim:
• A peptibody comprising four TPO-R binding domains with high
affinity for the TPO-R (MPL) and one carrier Fc domain.
• Binds to and activates the TPO-R on megakaryocyte precursors in
bone marrow.
• Binds in the same manner as endogenous TPO and can displace
TPO from its receptor.
• Romiplostim activates many of the same pathways as TPO,
leading to sustained improvement of platelet counts with
continued treatment.
• Different TPO-RAs activate the TPO-R in different ways
• Romiplostim activates the extracellular domain of the TPO-R
• Eltrombopag activates the transmembrane portion of the TPO-R
Approved indications
• Eltrombopag:by US FDA & EMA
• Chronic-ITP
• Hep-C associated TCP
• SAA
• Romiplostim:
• ITP
• HS-ARS
• although not approved for use in aplastic anemia by US FDA &
EMA, it similarly stimulates the proliferation of residual stem and
progenitor cells in patients with aplastic anemia (approval has
been received for refractory aplastic anemia in Japan and Korea).
• 64% (n= 28) resumed the same chemotherapy regimen that had led to CIT
• 36% (n = 16) resumed a different chemotherapy regimen
• 58% (11/19) resumed full-dose or increased dose chemotherapy who had reduction in chemotherapy dose before
enrollment
• Only 6.8% (n = 3) experienced chemotherapy dose reduction or dose delay as a result of recurrent CIT within the
specified time period
• 64% (28/44) patients who resumed chemotherapy continued taking romiplostim for more than 6 months, and
• 27% (12/44) continued for more than 1 year.
• The longest exposure to romiplostim was 34 months.
Soff GA et al. J Clin Oncol. 2019 Nov 1;37(31):2892-2898.
Secondary end points:
16.
• Dose:
• Beginningat 2-4 mcg/kg, increased by 1-2 mcg/kg per week  to target platelet count 100,000-150,000/mcL
• Maximum dose: 10 mcg/kg weekly
• TPO-RAs for CIT may increase the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with cancer.
Therefore, caution is warranted.
Chemotherapy Induced Thrombocytopenia (CIT)
18.
Hematopoietic Syndrome ofAcute Radiation Syndrome (HS-ARS)
• Romiplostim- reduces lethality and pancytopenia by multiple mechanisms
• stimulation of splenic progenitor cells
• induction of pulmonary megakaryocytopoiesis
• prevention of bone marrow cell death
• modulation of DNA repair
• production of cytokines
• Romiplostim has also been examined in combination with g-CSF and rEPO in irradiated mice,
which led to 100% survival at day 30.
• Recommended dose: 10 mcg/kg administered once as a subcutaneous injection. Administer the
dose as soon as possible after suspected or confirmed exposure to radiation levels greater than 2
gray (Gy).
Bussel JB et al. A Review of Romiplostim Mechanism of Action and Clinical Applicability. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2021 May 26;15:2243-2268.
19.
Chronic liver disease
•CLD, especially cirrhosis- often have thrombocytopenia
• In advanced CLD
• TPO declines as a result of splenomegaly and hepatic damage such that the liver cannot make even
normal amounts of TPO.
• accelerated platelet destruction and reduced platelet production
• Avatrombopag and lusutrombopag, have been approved specifically to increase the platelet
count in patients with thrombocytopenia and liver disease undergoing a procedure.
• Eltrombopag is approved to treat thrombocytopenia in patients with hepatitis C with liver
disease to allow for the initiation and maintenance of interferon-based therapy.
• Romiplostim case reports have shown to improve platelet counts in a patient with
• hepatocellular carcinoma
• hepatitis C
20.
Peri-surgical
• Romiplostim hasbeen used successfully to increase platelet counts in patients with
thrombocytopenia caused by different underlying pathologic conditions in association with
various surgical procedures.
• The underlying causes of thrombocytopenia included ITP, chronic liver disease, hematologic
malignancy, and drug-related and hereditary causes.
• Retrospective data indicate that romiplostim can also improve platelet counts to levels conducive
for performing various surgeries, including major cardiac, orthopedic, gastrointestinal, and
neurologic surgeries.
• Romiplostim >>> Eltrombopag
Common causes of
thrombocytopeniain
ICU patients:
• Sepsis
• Disseminated intravascular coagulation
• Consumption (eg, major trauma, cardiopulmonary bypass)
• Dilution (with massive transfusion)
• Myelosuppressive chemotherapy
• Mechanical circulatory support devices (eg, intra-aortic balloon pump)
Less common but
important causes of
thrombocytopenia that
should not be missed:
• Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
• Hemophagocytic syndrome
Uncommon causes of
thrombocytopenia that
develop during ICU
admission:
• Drug-induced thrombocytopenia (other than heparin or cytotoxic
chemotherapy)
• Leukemia, myelodysplasia, aplastic anemia, etc, unless abnormalities
were already present before ICU admission
• Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
• Immune/idiopathic thrombocytopenia
• Post-transfusion purpura
Causes of thrombocytopenia in the ICU
Zarychanski R, et al. ASH Education Program Book. 2017 Dec 8;2017(1):660-6.
26.
• Firstly, itwas assumed that the only mechanism of
thrombocytopenia in sepsis was the decreased
production of platelets
• Lately it was found in studies that
• Reticulated platelet percentage (RP%) and thrombopoietin
(TPO); both markers were increased in septic patients.
• Significant endotoxemia in sepsis increases pro-inflammatory
markers such as TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, and IL-8, which are known for
being thrombopoietic, meaning that it can increase platelet
production
• Thus in patients with sepsis the thrombopoiesis rate is high,
but the platelet consumption surpasses platelet production
Proposed mechanism of thrombocytopenia in sepsis
Gonzalez DA, et al. Cureus. 2022 May 27;14(5).
27.
Time course ofthrombocytopenia in septic shock
• Septic shock:
• In patients with septic shock who
develop thrombocytopenia, despite
signs of clinical improvement, on
average, platelet recovery is not
anticipated until several days after
vasopressor independence.
• The median time from
discontinuation of vasopressors to
recovery of platelet counts above 100
x 109/L is 2 days (IQR, 0-4)
• Mean platelet count in patients with septic shock who developed
thrombocytopenia after ICU admission.
• Time axis is anchored to the day that vasopressors were
discontinued (day 0). Only data for survivors are included
Menard CE, et al. Intensive Care Med Exp. 2016; 4(Suppl 1):A586
29.
Practical issues
• Routeof administration needs to be considered when choosing a TPO-RA.
• More frequent hospital visits are required until platelet counts are stabilized.
• Eltrombopag needs to be taken on an empty stomach (≥2 hours before or 4 hours after calcium-
rich foods) and may not be suitable in patients with absorption problems, nausea, transaminitis,
or irregular mealtimes.
• Discontinuation of romiplostim should be done in a stepwise fashion, as abruptly stopping
treatment can lead to rebound thrombocytopenia in patients who responded to treatment.
• Platelet counts should be monitored at least weekly and for ≥2 weeks after discontinuation.
• The dose of romiplostim should be increased 1 μg/kg/week if platelet counts decrease to <50 ×
109/L or the patient exhibits symptoms.
30.
Summary
• Thrombopoietin isinvolved in multiple steps of platelet production, from the stem cell through development of mature
megakaryocytes and possibly even platelet release.
• Romiplostim, an TPO-RA acts by increasing platelet production and therefore increases platelet counts.
• Increased platelet counts can reduce the need for platelet transfusions and decrease bleeding events in multiple
conditions.
• Romiplostim binds to and activates the TPO-R on megakaryocyte precursors, activating multiple cell-signaling pathways,
leading to enhanced cell growth and cell viability, which results in increased platelet production.
• Studies have also shown romiplostim to be effective in improving platelet counts in various preclinical and clinical settings,
including CIT, aplastic anemia, animal models of acute radiation syndrome, and liver disease.
• Although many indications have not been approved yet, these studies highlight the versatility of romiplostim in
thrombocytopenic conditions other than ITP. In particular, in severe aplastic anemia, for which eltrombopag has been
licensed as upfront treatment in combination with standard immunosuppressive therapy, a recent study showed similar
efficacy of romiplostim.
31.
Use of TPOReceptor Agonists
• Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP)
• Aplastic anemia
• Hepatitis C related thrombocytopenia
• Liver disease
• Chemotherapy-induced
thrombocytopenia (CIT)
• Radiation protection (HS-ARS)
• Pre-procedure thrombocytopenia
• Inherited thrombocytopenia (MYH-9)
• Stem cell transplant
• AML induction/remission chemotherapy
• Drug-induced thrombocytopenia
• Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)