Changes in platelet counts and the percentage of reticulated platelets in patients with ITP treated with PEG-rHuMGDF.

Platelet counts (●) and reticulated platelets (○) were measured in patients who received daily intravenous injections of PEG-rHuMGDF (0.5 μg/kg per day [▴]) for up to 7 days. Patients 1 and 3 were given PEG-rHuMGDF for 7 days. Patient 2 received only a single injection because hypertension, vomiting, headache, and cold sweating developed within 2.5 hours after the injection and her systolic blood pressure rose to 208 mmHg (from 150 mmHg before injection). Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain (MRI) showed no abnormalities. Blood pressure was controlled with nifedipine by 9 days after administration. Patient 4 received PEG-rHuMGDF for 6 days. On the night of day 6, his vision became dim while reading a book and numbness of the fingers developed. His blood pressure was 160/90 mmHg. CT on day 6 revealed no abnormalities. Repeated CT on day 10 and MRI showed no evidence of hemorrhage or infarction.