Analysis of Bleeding in Patients with Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP): A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Eltrombopag, an Oral Platelet Growth Factor.

Thrombocytopenia in ITP is due to both increased platelet clearance and inadequate platelet production. Bleeding episodes may occur as a result of the thrombocytopenia. Increasing the platelet count in patients with ITP may prevent or decrease bleeding episodes. Eltrombopag is an oral thrombopoietin receptor agonist that stimulates proliferation and differentiation of megakaryocytes and progenitor cells, ultimately increasing the number of circulating platelets. The safety and efficacy of eltrombopag were evaluated in an international, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase II trial in adults with chronic, previously-treated ITP and platelets