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Efficacy and tolerability of hydroxyurea in the treatment of the hyperproliferative manifestations of myelofibrosis: results in 40 patients.
- Source :
-
Annals of hematology [Ann Hematol] 2010 Dec; Vol. 89 (12), pp. 1233-7. Date of Electronic Publication: 2010 Jun 22. - Publication Year :
- 2010
-
Abstract
- Hydroxyurea (HU) is frequently given as treatment for myelofibrosis (MF), but data on its efficacy and tolerability are scarce. The results of HU therapy were evaluated in 40 patients with hyperproliferative manifestations of primary (n = 32), post-polycythemia vera (n = 6), or post-essential thrombocythemia (n = 2) myelofibrosis. Median interval between diagnosis and HU start was 6.2 months (range 0-141.7). Reasons for treatment were constitutional symptoms (55%), symptomatic splenomegaly (45%), thrombocytosis (40%), leukocytosis (28%), pruritus (10%), and bone pain (8%). The starting dose was 500 mg/day, subsequently adjusted to the individual efficacy and tolerability. Response was bone pain 100%, constitutional symptoms 82%, pruritus 50%, splenomegaly 40%, and anemia 12.5%. According to the International Working Group for Myelofibrosis Research and Treatment criteria, clinical improvement was achieved in 16 patients (40%). Median duration of response was 13.2 months (range 3-126.2). Worsening of the anemia or appearance of pancytopenia were observed in 18 patients, requiring administration of erythropoietin-stimulating agents (n = 17) and/or danazol (n = 9). Oral or leg ulcers appeared in five patients and one had gastrointestinal symptoms. HU is an effective and generally well-tolerated therapy for the hyperproliferative manifestations of MF. The accentuation of the anemia often induced by HU is usually manageable with concomitant treatment.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Anemia complications
Anemia drug therapy
Antisickling Agents adverse effects
Antisickling Agents therapeutic use
Bone and Bones physiopathology
Female
Humans
Hydroxyurea adverse effects
Leg Ulcer chemically induced
Leukocytosis complications
Leukocytosis drug therapy
Male
Middle Aged
Oral Ulcer chemically induced
Pain complications
Pain drug therapy
Pancytopenia chemically induced
Primary Myelofibrosis complications
Pruritus complications
Pruritus drug therapy
Splenomegaly complications
Splenomegaly drug therapy
Thrombocytosis complications
Thrombocytosis drug therapy
Treatment Outcome
Hydroxyurea therapeutic use
Primary Myelofibrosis drug therapy
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1432-0584
- Volume :
- 89
- Issue :
- 12
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Annals of hematology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 20567824
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00277-010-1019-9