Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40547032›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in immunology2025

Comparative efficacy and safety of rhTPO, romiplostim, and eltrombopag in the treatment of pediatric primary immune thrombocytopenia: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Xiaofang Zhang, Yuan Zhao, Minghang Yang, Xiaochun Feng

Abstract readComparative StudyNetwork Meta-AnalysisSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in immunology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Efficacy and Safety of Romiplostim Versus Placebo in Immune Thrombocytopenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Clinical and applied thrombosis/hemostasis : official journal of the International Academy of Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis
    Pooled it
  2. Review
  3. Article
  4. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Xiaofang ZhangCollege of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China.
Yuan ZhaoFinancial Office, Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China.
Minghang YangCollege of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China.
Xiaochun FengCollege of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Pediatric primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by isolated thrombocytopenia and an increased risk of bleeding. Conventional therapies, while effective in some cases, are often limited by suboptimal response rates and significant adverse effects with prolonged use. Thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RAs), including recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO), romiplostim, and eltrombopag, have emerged as promising therapeutic alternatives for pediatric ITP. However, a comprehensive comparison of their efficacy and safety profiles remains lacking. Objective: To conduct a systematic review and network meta-analysis to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of rhTPO, romiplostim, and eltrombopag in the treatment of pediatric ITP. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed across PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and other relevant databases. Seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving a total of 375 pediatric ITP patients were included. Direct meta-analysis and Bayesian network meta-analysis were employed to assess overall response rates (ORR) and the incidence of serious adverse events (SAEs). The Surface Under the Cumulative Ranking Curve (SUCRA) was utilized to rank the interventions based on their efficacy and safety. Results: Direct meta-analysis demonstrated that romiplostim (OR = 17.57, 95% CI: 4.90-63.03), eltrombopag (OR = 5.34, 95% CI: 2.50-11.39), and rhTPO (OR = 5.32, 95% CI: 2.03-13.96) were all significantly more effective than placebo in achieving ORR (P < 0.001). In terms of SAEs, romiplostim was associated with a higher risk (OR = 3.79, 95% CI: 0.66-21.85), whereas eltrombopag (OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.23-2.03) and rhTPO (OR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.01-7.17) exhibited more favorable safety profiles. Network meta-analysis ranked romiplostim (SUCRA = 0.96) as the most efficacious intervention, followed by eltrombopag (0.52) and rhTPO (0.52). For safety, rhTPO (SUCRA = 0.78) ranked highest, followed by eltrombopag (0.66), while romiplostim (0.12) was associated with the highest risk. Conclusion: Romiplostim exhibits superior efficacy in the management of pediatric ITP but necessitates vigilant monitoring for potential adverse effects, including bone marrow fibrosis. rhTPO, with its favorable safety profile, is particularly well-suited for acute bleeding scenarios. Eltrombopag offers a balanced combination of oral convenience and safety, making it an optimal choice for long-term therapy. Clinical decision-making should be guided by individual patient factors, including bleeding risk, treatment adherence, and drug accessibility. Future research should prioritize head-to-head comparative trials and long-term follow-up studies to further refine therapeutic strategies and optimize outcomes in pediatric ITP.

Indexed as

BenzoatesHydrazinesPurpura, Thrombocytopenic, IdiopathicPyrazolesReceptors, FcRecombinant Fusion ProteinsThrombopoietinAdolescentChildChild, PreschoolHumansReceptors, ThrombopoietinRecombinant ProteinsTreatment OutcomeBenzoateseltrombopagHydrazinesPyrazolesReceptors, FcReceptors, ThrombopoietinRecombinant Fusion ProteinsRecombinant ProteinsromiplostimThrombopoietineltrombopagnetwork meta-analysispediatric immune thrombocytopeniarecombinant human thrombopoietinromiplostimsystematic review

Identifiers

PMID40547032
PMCPMC12179062

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.