Low-dose interleukin-11 in patients with bone marrow failure: update of the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center experience

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Abstract
Background: Recombinant interleukin (IL)-11 is a thrombopoietic growth factor. The purpose of this study was to assess the toxicity, safety and efficacy of low-dose recombinant IL-11 in patients with bone marrow failure (BMF). Patients and methods: Patients with BMF due to myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), graft failure, chemotherapy or aplastic anemia (AA) were treated. Patients were required to have a platelet count of 9/l, or a platelet count of 9/l with an absolute neutrophil count 9/l, or a hemoglobin value 50 years (P=0.008), diagnosis of MDS versus AA (P=0.025) and creatinine level >1 mg/dl (P=0.0004). The median response duration was 3 months (range 1.4–34.5+). Amongst responders, the median increment in platelet count was 111 × 109/l (range 43–165). The most common side-effects were grade 1–2 lower extremity edema, conjunctival injections and fatigue. Grade 3 toxicities included arrhythmia (n=1) and transient ischemic attack (n=1). Ten patients (30%) had no side-effects. Conclusions: Low-dose IL-11 has activity in patients with BMF and is generally well tolerated.

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