ESSENTIAL THROMBOCYTHEMIA - RESPONSE DURING 1ST YEAR OF THERAPY WITH MELPHALAN AND RADIOACTIVE PHOSPHORUS - A POLYCYTHEMIA-VERA STUDY-GROUP REPORT

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  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 66  (7) , 1495-1500
Abstract
Thirty-one patients with essential thrombocythemia were randomized to receive melphalan or radioactive P as myelosuppressive therapy. Twenty-seven patients were evaluable for response. Of 13 patients treated with melphalan, 11 had a complete response (platelet count < 450,000/mm3) at 3 and 6 mo. This response rate was significantly better than the response to radioactive P. The response rates were similar at 12 mo. No significant toxicity was observed with either regimen. [Within the spectrum of myeloproliferative disorders, there is a subgroup of patients who have thrombocytosis without accompanying manifestations of polycythemia vera, chronic granulocytic leukemia or myelofibrosis. This subgroup has been labeled essential or primary thrombocythemia.].