The Efficacy and Adverse Effect of Hydroxyurea as Compared with Anagrelide in Essential Thrombocythemia.
- Author:
Young Mi SEOL
1
;
Bo Ran KWON
;
Young Jin CHOI
;
Kyung Woo LEE
;
Ho Jin SHIN
;
Joo Seop CHUNG
;
Eun Yup LEE
;
Won Sik LEE
;
Young Don JOO
;
Goon Jae CHO
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Essential thrombocythemia; Anagrelide; Hydroxyurea
- MeSH: Headache; Hemorrhage; Humans; Hydroxyurea; Incidence; Leukemia; Platelet Count; Quinazolines; Retrospective Studies; Thrombocythemia, Essential; Thrombosis
- From:Korean Journal of Hematology 2008;43(2):83-88
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
- Abstract: BACKGROUND: Although the platelet count may not always correlate with the risk of thrombosis, there is evidence that a strict control of the platelet count decreases the incidence of thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications. However, it is difficult to select an appropriate platelet-lowering agent. This retrospective study was performed to assess the efficacy and adverse effect of the use of hydroxyurea and anagrelide for patients with essential thrombocythemia. METHODS: Sixty patients with essential thrombocythemia received either hydroxyurea (n=30) or anagrelide (n=30). Early responses and adverse effects of hydroxyurea and anagrelide in the patients were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Treatment with anagrelide or hydroxyurea resulted in a rapid decrease of the platelet count within two weeks. The response rates after treatment with hydroxyurea and anagrelide were 83% and 77%, respectively. As compared with patients treated with hydroxyurea, patients treated with anagrelide presented with adverse effects such as headache palpitation was also frequently noticed (P=0.001). However, serious hemorrhage (n=2) and transformation to leukemia (n=1) occurred in patients treated with hydroxyurea. CONCLUSION: Both anagrelide and hydroxyurea were effective and well-tolerated agents for the reduction of the platelet count. Long-term efficacy and adverse effects of the drugs remain to be determined.
