INITIAL EVALUATION OF THE EFFICACY OF LOW-DOSE THALIDOMIDE COMBINED WITH CORTICOSTEROIDS IN PATIENTS WITH MYELOFIBROSIS AT THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEMATOLOGY AND BLOOD TRANSFUSION
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Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the treatment outcomes of low-dose Thalidomide combined with Corticosteroids in patients with myelofibrosis at the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion.
Methods: A case series descriptive study was conducted on 28 patients with myelofibrosis treated with low-dose Thalidomide combined with Corticosteroids during the period 1/2019-8/2025.
Results: After 3 months of treatment, 71.4% of patients achieved Hb improvement, with a mean increase of 22.25 g/L, patients with baseline Hb ≥ 70 g/L had a seven-fold higher likelihood of Hb response compared with those with Hb < 70 g/L. The rates of improvement in thrombocytopenia and splenomegaly were 64.7% and 32.1%, respectively. After 3 months, patients continued treatment with Thalidomide monotherapy, and responses in anemia, thrombocytopenia, and splenomegaly were maintained at rates of 90%, 90.9%, and 57.1%, respectively. Regarding adverse events, leukocytosis and thrombocytosis were observed in 17.9% and 28.6% of patients, respectively, with grade 3 events accounting for 3.6% and 7.1%. The most common non-hematologic adverse event was constipation. Other adverse effects included sedation, paresthesia, hyperglycemia, infections, and thrombosis; however, each occurred in less than 30% of patients, and no grade 3 events or treatment discontinuations were reported.
Conclusion: The treatment regimen of low-dose Thalidomide combined with Corticosteroids is effective in improving clinical manifestations, including anemia, thrombocytopenia, and splenomegaly, in patients with myelofibrosis, with acceptable adverse effects.
Article Details
Keywords
Thalidomide, Corticosteroids, myelofibrosis.
References
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