Can Histochemical c-mpl Positivity in Bone Marrow be a Predictor for Splenectomy in Immune Thrombocytopenia?

Purpose: Splenectomy is used as the second line therapy in patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). However, there is no parameter predicting splenectomy decision. Thrombopoietin is the main regulator of platelet count through its receptor c-mpl. The aim of the present study was to evaluate immune histochemical Cloned Myeloid Leukemia Virus (c-mpl) positivity in bone marrow specimens of ITP patients with or without splenectomy indications.

Methods: Pre-splenectomy bone marrow was stained for c-mpl, that was taken from 24 patients with ITP and who had splenectomy as well as bone marrow samples from 30 patients with ITP who did not have splenectomy.

Results: c-mpl negativity was higher in splenectomized patients (n: 23) compared to patients without splenectomy (n:18). A significant difference was found for platelet counts before and after splenectomy. Our study show that, c-mpl positivity was statistically significant in patient group who did not have splenectomy. In the patient group who had the splenectomy, c-mpl was not associated with refractory status.

Conclusion: The significant level of c-mpl negativity might be the useful parameter for splenectomy indication in patients with immune thrombocytopenia.