Retrospective cohort suggests romiplostim reduces platelet engraftment time in plasma cell neoplasms

This retrospective cohort study evaluated patients receiving autologous stem cell transplantation for plasma cell neoplasms. The sample size comprised 15 patients in the Romiplostim N01 cohort and 21 historical controls. Follow-up duration extended to day +30 post-transplant period.

The intervention involved non-cryopreserved peripheral blood stem cells and early Romiplostim N01 administration. The comparator group received cryopreserved peripheral blood stem cells and recombinant human thrombopoietin therapy.

The primary outcome, time to platelet engraftment, was significantly earlier in the Romiplostim N01 cohort with a median of 11 days versus 13 days (P = 0.008) observed. Complete platelet recovery by day +30 was higher in the Romiplostim N01 cohort at 100% versus 66.7% (P = 0.027). Neutrophil recovery, transfusion requirements, and hospitalization duration were comparable between groups. Total hospitalization cost was markedly lower with Romiplostim N01 at 77,609 ± 21,624 CNY versus 106,188 ± 14,910 CNY overall.

Safety data, including adverse events and serious adverse events, were not reported. Key limitations include the retrospective study design and the use of historical controls, which may introduce selection bias and confounding.

Practice relevance is not reported. Clinicians should interpret these findings cautiously given the observational nature, historical controls, and lack of safety reporting available for review.