Clinically Useful and Cost-Effective of Recombinant Human Thrombopoietin in Treatment of Chemotherapy Induced Thrombocytopenia

Abstract

BackgroundThe bone marrow suppression during chemotherapy will cause severe platelet decline in the human body, resulting in critical organ hemorrhage and intracranial hemorrhage. Therefore, the efficacy and economics of recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO) in treating different degrees of thrombocytopenia caused by chemotherapy were analyzed. MethodsFrom January 2018 to July 2019, 233 with diagnosed lung cancer treated with the course of chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy were enrolled. After treatment with chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy, they all happened thrombocytopenia and received rhTPO. We divided patients into three groups according to the level of platelet decline. Changes in blood platelet count, treatment plan and cost performance between them were analyzed. ResultsOf all the included patients, 39.5% was undergoing concurrent radiotherapy or chemotherapy; 42.9% had thrombocytopenia of grade II; 40.3% had thrombocytopenia of grade III; 16.7% had thrombocytopenia of grade IV; 52.8% postponed the next cycle of chemotherapy or radiotherapy due to platelet decline; 12.0% changed the treatment plan for malignant tumors due to severe platelet decline; 15.5% reduced the dose of chemotherapy drugs due to thrombocytopenia; 23.6% had platelet transfusions during this period. During the extended hospitalization period caused by thrombocytopenia, the medical expenses of patients would increase significantly, which was dominated by the cost of rhTPO. ConclusionsFor different degrees of thrombocytopenia, the treatment of rhTPO could increase platelet counts effectively. During the treatment, patients might have varying degrees of economic and the difference between the treatment duration of different patients.