ITP with CMML

Hi, my father 72 years old and suffers ITP since over 20 years with platelets counts of 50,000-100,000. Since 12 months the counts dropped to approx. 30,000 and he finally diagnosed 2 months ago with Chronic Myelomonocyler Leukemia (CMML-1) with 7.8% blasts. We understand that this is a rare combination of illnesses and are looking for advise on how best continue his CMML treatment (currently Hydrea) while increasing and/or maintaining his platelets count (currently 10,000). IVIG and platelets transfusions have been unsuccessful. Thanks in advance for your help. Best David

David:

I'm sorry about your dad. Truthfully though, none of us have any knowledge or experience with treatments for someone with ITP and CMML. There are quite a few treatments for ITP, but I have no idea if any of them might be contraindicated with his other condition. I can name a few ITP treatments that you could discuss with his doctors, but that is the best I can do.

1. Rituxan
2. Decadron
3. N-Plate *
4. Promacta *

* These two aid in platelet production and are usually quite successful in raising counts. However, counts should not be normalized and should be maintained around 50k which is considered to be a safe count in most situations.