OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO) in treatment for chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia in patients with lung cancer.

METHODSFifty-one lung cancer patients with platelet count < 100 x 10(9)/L after chemotherapy were enrolled into this study. They were divided into three groups: mild, moderate and severe thrombocytopenia groups according to the platelet count. rhTPO was subcutaneously administered at a dosage of 300 microg kg(-1) d(-1) until the platelet count >or= 100 x 10(9)/L or absolute value of platelet count >or= 50 x 10(9)/L. Laboratory tests included routine blood count, serum biochemistry, and blood coagulation test.

RESULTSThe duration of the chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia was significantly shorter in the mild group than that in the moderate and severe groups (P < 0.01). After administration of rhTPO, the time of declined platelet count beginning to recover was also significantly shorter in the mild group than that in the moderate and severe groups (P < 0.01). There was a statistically significant difference in platelet transfusion needed among the three groups (P < 0.01). However, no significant difference was found among the three groups in the time of rhTPO treatment (P > 0.05) and platelet count improvement (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONRecombinant human thrombopoietin can be effectively and safely administered to deal with grade III/IV chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia in lung cancer patients with mild adverse effects.