Real-world data show Novartis drug Revolade improves outcomes for ITP patients compared to other second-line therapies

Novartis International AG / Real-world data show Novartis drug Revolade improves outcomes for ITP patients compared to other second-line therapies . Processed and transmitted by West Corporation. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

• Revolade (eltrombopag) showed lower rate of bleeding-related episodes and similar rate of thrombotic events vs. romiplostim, rituximab and splenectomy, in a retrospective analysis of US electronic health records
   

Patients who received splenectomy, as second-line regimen, showed highest platelet counts and most frequent thrombotic event rates among groups receiving other therapies
 

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a rare blood disorder where there is an increased risk of bleeding due to a low number of platelets

Basel, December 2, 2018 - Novartis announced results of a retrospective, real-world evidence study in patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) treated with Revolade (eltrombopag), compared to other second-line therapies. The data demonstrated that patients experienced better clinical outcomes with Revolade, in terms of fewer bleeding episodes. The data were presented during the 60^th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) in San Diego.

"Despite advances in treating immune thrombocytopenia, many patients remain at risk for bleeding episodes," said Samit Hirawat, MD, Head, Novartis Oncology Global Drug Development. "With these kind of real-world data, we can reimagine care by more clearly understanding the outcomes of a range of treatments and, in turn, helping healthcare providers better navigate available options with their patients."

Electronic health records (EHR) data from January 1, 2009 to September 30, 2016 from the Optum EHR database were used to evaluate the effect of second-line agents for ITP. Identified patients had the following characteristics: 18 years or older, evidence of previous treatment with steroids or immune globulin products, and activity in the database for at least 6 months prior to and 12 months post initiation of a second-line agent. Treatment outcomes evaluated included platelet counts, bleeding related episodes (BREs), and thrombotic events (TEs) over the 12-month period following starting a second-line therapy.