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news.GlaxoSmithKline has said its platelet drug Promacta deceased bleeding and improved platelet count in patients with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in a phase II study.
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Analysis of data from the study showed that Promacta at 50mg or 75mg resulted in a positive trend in decrease in bleeding incidence in adult patients with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), an autoimmune condition which results in low blood platelet counts and bleeding from the small blood vessels. However the results did not reach statistical significance.
“Current treatments for ITP, such as steroids or the removal of the spleen have limitations and side effects,” commented James Bussel, of the New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. “These study results indicate there is a potential new oral treatment that can reduce bleeding episodes.”
GlaxoSmithKline said that clinical trials for are ongoing, not only in ITP but also other conditions where thrombocytopenia is a clinical issue – for example liver disease and patients receiving chemotherapy.