Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura or immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a disorder which may result in excessive bleeding or bruising due to abnormally low levels of platelet cells, leading to potentially fatal consequences. Speaking from the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, Wojciech Jurczak, MD, PhD, from Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland, explores the potential of the thrombopoietin receptor agonist avatrombopag for the treatment of ITP, particularly in patients with liver cirrhosis who are facing surgery. Initial results have shown promising efficacy with a good side effect profile, and so Prof. Jurczak believes that this drug could prove to be an interesting alternative to current standard treatment options.
