Eltrombopag added to immunosuppression for children with treatment-naive severe aplastic anaemia

Acquired severe aplastic anaemia (SAA) has an immune pathogenesis, and immunosuppressive therapy (IST) with anti-thymocyte globulin and cyclosporine is effective therapy. Eltrombopag (EPAG) added to standard IST was associated with higher overall and complete response rates in patients with treatment-naive SAA compared to a historical IST cohort. We performed a paediatric subgroup analysis of this trial including all patients aged <18 years who received EPAG plus standard IST (n = 40 patients) compared to a historical cohort (n = 87) who received IST alone. Response, relapse, clonal evolution, event-free survival (EFS), and overall survival were assessed. There was no significant difference in either the overall response rate (ORR) or complete response rate at 6 months (ORR 70% in EPAG group, 72% in historical group, P = 0 center dot 78). Adults (>= 18 years) had a significantly improved ORR of 82% with EPAG compared to 58% historically (P < 0 center dot 001). Younger children had lower response rates than did adolescents. The trend towards relapse was higher and EFS significantly lower in children who received EPAG compared to IST alone. Addition of EPAG added to standard IST did not improve outcomes in children with treatment-naive SAA. EPAG in the paediatric population should not automatically be considered standard of care. Registration: clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01623167).

Automated summary

The study compared pediatric patients under 18 years of age who received EPAG plus standard IST with a historical cohort who received IST alone, indicating that EPAG did not improve outcomes in children with treatment-naive SAA. However, in adults, EPAG significantly improved overall response rate. Younger children had lower response rates compared to adolescents.