News from the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting

Each year the annual American Society of Hematology (ASH) meeting attracts thousands of clinicians and scientists from around the world to learn about and report on the latest hematology research. This year's meeting, held December 5 to 8 in Orlando, Florida, featured more than 10 hours of presentations and more than 65 pages of abstracts about ITP and related diseases. In this issue of the e-news, we report some of the trends.

The ASH abstract numbers are shown in parentheses. You can search on the number and read the complete abstract at: https://ash.confex.com/ash/2015/webprogram/start.html, after you 'agree' with the terms.

CONTENTS:

• Learning More about Current ITP Treatments:
  • Rethinking Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIg) Optimal Doses – Less May be Sufficient
  • Outcomes of Referrals for Mild and Moderate Thrombocytopenia in Pediatric ITP patients
• Understanding More about TPO Treatments:
  • Tapering Eltrombopag in Patients with Chronic ITP
  • Anti-GP1b Antibodies Are Associated with a More Severe ITP
• The Promise of Future ITP Treatments:
  • PRTX-100
• Improving Treatment for Children with ITP:
  • Effect of Romiplostim on Health-Related Quality of Life in Children with ITP and Associated Burden in their Parents

CONTENTS:

• ITP & PLATELET DISORDERS RESEARCH & TREATMENTS:
  • Remission with Romiplostim Treatment Found in One Third of Primary ITP Patients
  • Case Describes Woman Treated for Breast Cancer Who Developed ITP during Her Chemotherapy
• HOSPITALS, INSURANCE & MEDICAL CARE:
  • Patient Safety is Focus during National Healthcare Quality Weeke
• GENERAL HEALTH & MEDICINE:
  • New US National Dietary Guidelines for Healthy Diet

CONTENTS:

• ITP & PLATELET DISORDERS RESEARCH & TREATMENTS:
  • Higher Platelet Counts and Fewer IVIg Infusions for ITP Patients Receiving Romiplostim (Nplate®)
  • Approval Granted to Protalex for Phase Ib Trial of ITP Therapy PRTX-100
• HOSPITALS, INSURANCE & MEDICAL CARE:
  • Improving Diagnosis in Health Care
• GENERAL HEALTH & MEDICINE:
  • Controlling Inflammation Reduces Chronic Disease Risk
• CLINICAL TRIALS:
  • Are you living with ITP?
  • Is your current ITP treatment working for you?

CONTENTS:

• ITP & PLATELET DISORDERS RESEARCH & TREATMENTS:
  • FDA Grants Orphan Drug Designation to ITP Treatment Fostamatinib
  • Physicians Vary in Recommendation for Sports Participation in Children and Teens with ITP
• HOSPITALS, INSURANCE & MEDICAL CARE:
  • ‘Lab-on-a-Chip’ Technology to Cut Costs of Sophisticated Tests for HIV, Lyme Disease, Other Diseases
• GENERAL HEALTH & MEDICINE:
  • Researchers Find Fructose Contributes to Weight Gain, Physical Inactivity, and Body Fat
• CLINICAL TRIALS:
  • Are you living with ITP?
  • Is your current ITP treatment working for you?

CONTENTS:

• ITP & PLATELET DISORDERS RESEARCH & TREATMENTS:
  • CD8+ T Cells Play Protective Role during Steroid Therapy for ITP in Mice
  • Taking Antidepressants and NSAID Painkillers Raises Risk for Brain Bleeds
• HOSPITALS, INSURANCE & MEDICAL CARE:
  • Having an Existing Health Condition and Certain Hospital Characteristics Affect Chances of Hospitalized Patients Getting a Blood Clot
• GENERAL HEALTH & MEDICINE:
  • Probiotics Improve Mood and Behavior in Mice with Chronic Inflammatory Disease
• CLINICAL TRIALS:
  • Are you living with ITP?
  • Is your current ITP treatment working for you?

CONTENTS:

• ITP & PLATELET DISORDERS RESEARCH & TREATMENTS:
  • Platelet Antibody Findings Yield New Treatments for ITP
  • FDA Gives Orphan Drug Designation to Protalex for PRTX-100 to Treat ITP
• HOSPITALS, INSURANCE & MEDICAL CARE:
  • The First Spray-Dried Fibrin Sealant is FDA - Approved for Bleeding during Surgery
• GENERAL HEALTH & MEDICINE:
  • Eating Dark Chocolate Boosts Brain Attention Levels

CONTENTS:

• ITP & PLATELET DISORDERS RESEARCH & TREATMENTS:
  • FDA Approves Promacta® Treatment Option for ITP in Children
  • Fatigue is a Common Aspect of Chronic Illnesses Including ITP
  • Are you living with ITP?
• HOSPITALS, INSURANCE & MEDICAL CARE:
  • CMS Star Rating System Helps Patients Find Quality Hospital Care
• GENERAL HEALTH & MEDICINE:
  • High Sugar Consumption is Linked to Many Illnesses

CONTENTS:

• ITP & PLATELET DISORDERS RESEARCH & TREATMENTS:
  • PRTX-100 is New Treatment for ITP in Development
  • New Triple Therapy for ITP Uses Dexamethasone, Rituximab and Cyclosporine
  • Is Your Current ITP Treatment Working for You?
  • Are you living with ITP?
• HOSPITALS, INSURANCE & MEDICAL CARE:
  • Patients Face Greater Risk from Surgeries at Low-Volume Hospitals
• GENERAL HEALTH & MEDICINE:
  • Genes That Promote Inflammation Increased During Winter Season

CONTENTS:

• ITP & PLATELET DISORDERS RESEARCH & TREATMENTS:
  • Caffeic Acid Found Effective in Raising Platelet Counts in ITP Patients
  • C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Related to Platelet Destruction in ITP
  • Is Your Current ITP Treatment Working for You?
• HOSPITALS, INSURANCE & MEDICAL CARE:
  • Is Your Hospital One of America’s Best Hospitals?
• GENERAL HEALTH & MEDICINE:
  • Another Important Reason to Eat Your Spinach

CONTENTS:

• ITP & PLATELET DISORDERS RESEARCH & TREATMENTS:
  • Oxidative Stress Found to Play Role in Active ITP in Children and Adolescents
  • Eltrombopag Treatment after Stopping Romiplostim Appears Safe for ITP Patients
  • Is Your Current ITP Treatment Working for You?
• HOSPITALS, INSURANCE & MEDICAL CARE:
  • New Sleep Guidelines Recommend More Sleep for Most Age Groups
• GENERAL HEALTH & MEDICINE:
  • More Evidence for the Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet

CONTENTS:

• ITP & PLATELET DISORDERS RESEARCH & TREATMENTS:
  • Common Allergies Linked to ITP in Children
  • GSK Seeking EMA Approval for Indication to Use Eltrombopag in Treating ITP in Children
• HOSPITALS, INSURANCE & MEDICAL CARE:
  • Exciting Healthcare Improvements Coming Thanks to Smartphones
• GENERAL HEALTH & MEDICINE:
  • Mindfulness Meditation Shown to Relieve Stress

CONTENTS:

• ITP & PLATELET DISORDERS RESEARCH & TREATMENTS:
  • Platelet Transfusions Increased Clot Risk in Several Rare Platelet Disorders
  • Safe to Discontinue Eltrombopag after Complete Remission from Primary ITP
• HOSPITALS, INSURANCE & MEDICAL CARE:
  • FDA Closer to Approving Less Expensive Biosimilar Drugs
• GENERAL HEALTH & MEDICINE:
  • An Avocado a Day Could Help Keep Bad Cholesterol Away