Faculty Collaboration Database

Pilot study of low-dose interleukin-11 in patients with bone marrow failure. J Clin Oncol 2001 Nov 01;19(21):4165-72

Date

11/02/2001

Pubmed ID

11689585

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2001.19.21.4165

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0035503148 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   61 Citations

Abstract

PURPOSE: Interleukin-11 (IL-11) is a thrombopoietic cytokine that attenuates postchemotherapy thrombocytopenia at doses of 50 microg/kg/d subcutaneously. Very little is known about the activity of IL-11 in patients with bone marrow failure states.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our preliminary experience with IL-11 at doses of 50 microg/kg/d suggested that patients with bone marrow failure developed significant peripheral and pulmonary edema after the prolonged dosing necessary for treating these conditions. We, therefore, initiated a study of low-dose IL-11 (starting dose, 10 microg/kg/d).

RESULTS: Sixteen patients were assessable for response. Six patients had diploid cytogenetics; the others had a variety of chromosomal abnormalities. Six (38%) of 16 patients showed a platelet response to IL-11, and two had a multilineage response (to IL-11 alone, n = 1; to IL-11 plus G-CSF and erythropoietin, n = 1). The median increase in peak platelet counts was 95 x 10(9)/L above baseline in the responders (range, increase of 55 x 10(9)/L to 130 x 10(9)/L above baseline). Responders included five of 11 patients with myelodysplasia and one of four patients with aplastic anemia. Response durations were 12, 13, 14+, 25, 30, and 30+ weeks. Side effects of IL-11 were mild (peripheral edema, n = 7; conjunctival injection, n = 7; myalgia, n = 1; all grade 1). Seven patients had no side effects.

CONCLUSION: Our pilot study suggests that administration of low-dose IL-11 (10 microg/kg/d) can raise platelet counts without significant toxicity in selected thrombocytopenic patients with bone marrow failure.

Author List

Kurzrock R, Cortes J, Thomas DA, Jeha S, Pilat S, Talpaz M

Author

Razelle Kurzrock MD Center Associate Director, Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Anemia, Aplastic
Bone Marrow Cells
Child
Child, Preschool
Drug Administration Schedule
Erythropoietin
Female
Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor
Humans
Interleukin-11
Karyotyping
Male
Middle Aged
Myelodysplastic Syndromes
Pilot Projects
Platelet Count
Thrombocytopenia