MILAN, June 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Results from a large international study on pediatric ITP will be presented at the 19^th Congress of EHA by Dr John Grainger.  

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a rare disease in children, affecting 5 in 100,000. Most children get better quickly without intervention but up to 30% will still have disease at 12 months. ITP is characterized by a low platelet count. Platelets are blood cells which help to prevent bleeding and a low platelet count usually causes easy bruising. Dangerous or life-threatening bleeding is much less common but can occur in children and the risk remains whilst the platelets remain low.

Current treatments for ITP may improve the platelet count for a short period of time but repeated treatments don't always work and have significant side effects or risks. Surgical treatment to remove the spleen is often used but again may not work and the long term risk of infection, blood clots or other risks are not acceptable to many physicians or families.

Eltrombopag is a treatment that has been shown to be effective in adult patients with ITP. We describe the largest pediatric clinical trial to date. The study was conducted across 12 countries. All patients were under 18 years, had ITP for at least 12 months, had failed at least one treatment and had a very low platelet count. Treatment was compared to placebo and we describe platelet responses, reduction in bleeding and safety data.

Presenter: Dr John Grainger

Affiliation: Consultant Paediatric Haematologist, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom

Topic: Can Eltrombopag help children with ITP say goodbye to bleeding?

Abstract S732 will be presented by Dr John Grainger on Saturday June 14, 2014, 16:15 - 17:30 in Room Amber 1+2 (SW - Level 2)

About the EHA Annual Congress 

Hematology is a specialty that covers everything to do with blood: its origin in the bone marrow, diseases of blood and their treatments. The latest data on research and developments will be presented. The topics range from stem cell physiology and development, to leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma - diagnosis and treatment; red blood cells -, white blood cells- and platelet disorders; thrombosis and bleeding disorders.

SOURCE European Hematology Association