Apparent stimulation of thrombopoesis with interleukin-3 (IL-3) in chemotherapy induced myelosuppression

Two patients with advanced ovarian cancer (FIGO III C) and one patient with abdominal cancer developed severe thrombocytopenia with petechial haemorrhages after chemotherapy. These patients were treated with recombinant human interleukin-3 (rhIL-3) after multiple platelet transfusions (HLA-matched) and erythrocyte transfusions had not been effective. Increase of thrombocyte counts began three days after rhIL-3 therapy. Side effects due to rhIL-3 administration (flu-like symptoms) were moderate and could be treated effectively with paracetamol. These data support evidence for efficacy of rhIL-3 in chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia and may open new therapeutic perspectives.