1976 Volume 17 Issue 12 Pages 1261-1265
Treatment with Vincristine was assessed in eleven patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Nine of them had previously been refractory to glucocorticoid, and two of which had also been refractory to immunosuppressants. Vincristine was given intravenously in a dose of 1 or 2 mg every seventh or tenth day. There were two good, three fair and six poor results. Two good responders were given 2 mg Vincristine per week. In other nine patients, who were given 1 mg Vincristine every week, three responded fairly well and six responded poorly. Platelet count increased in a week after Vincristine injection in a 1 mg dose or 2 mg dose, and more increase was observed in a 2 mg dose. Two good responders complained of severe peripheral neuropathy, and therefore Vincristine had to be stopped. Platelet count in these patients fell soon after the discontinuation of Vincristine.
Our result of treatment with Vincristine in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura has been poor as compared with the report described by Ahn et al, and may be worse than that of other immunosuppressants. However, platelet response is more prompt with Vincristine than with other immunosuppressants. Further investigations are required to evaluate Vincristine in the treatment of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
