Fostamatinib is an effective second‐line therapy in patients with immune thrombocytopenia

Fostamatinib demonstrated efficacy in phase 3 trials of adults with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Post hoc analysis compared patients who received fostamatinib as second‐line therapy (after steroids ± immunoglobulins) versus third‐or‐later‐line therapy (after ≥2 prior lines of therapy including a second‐line agent). Platelet responses ≥50 000/µl were observed in 25/32 (78%) second‐line and 54/113 (48%) third‐or‐later‐line patients. Bleeding events were less frequent in second‐line (28%) versus third‐or‐later‐line (45%) patients. Responses once achieved tended to be durable in both groups. The safety profile was similar in both groups. In this post hoc analysis, fostamatinib was more effective as second‐line than third‐or‐later‐line therapy for ITP.