OBJECTIVETo assess the efficacy of prophylactic treatment with recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO) on chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia in tumor patients.

METHODSIn this randomized cross-over self-controlled clinical trial, 24 patients with malignant neoplasms were randomized group A (12 cases) and group B (12 cases). All the patients underwent two identical cycles of chemotherapy. In group A, RhTPO (1.0 µg/kg) was administered subcutaneously on a daily basis 3 days before the second chemotherapy cycle for 7 consecutive days, and in group B, RhTPO was administered daily 6-24 h after the second chemotherapy cycle for 7 days. In both groups, RhTPO was not administered in the first chemotherapy cycle, which served as the control cycle.

RESULTSIn both the groups, platelet count was significantly higher in the second cycle than in the control cycle, and the duration of thrombocytopenia was significantly shortened in the second cycle. Compared with group B, the patients in group A showed a significantly higher platelet count in the second cycle and a significantly shorter duration of thrombocytopenia in the second cycle.

CONCLUSIONProphylactic administration of rhTPO can significantly reduce the severity and duration of thrombocytopenia and promote platelet recovery in patients undergoing chemotherapy for malignant tumors.