Chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia: modern diagnosis and treatment

Abstract

Chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia (CIT) is a common clinical problem in patients with solid tumour malignancies. Unlike nadir CIT which often resolves by the start of the following chemotherapy cycle, persistent CIT results in unacceptably low platelet counts at the beginning of a cycle lasting throughout multiple chemotherapy cycles, resulting in bleeding as well as chemotherapy treatment delays, dose reductions and discontinuation. Persistent CIT can be managed with thrombopoietin receptor agonist support in the context of a clinical trial or off-label use of romiplostim if a trial is not available.