Evaluating the Effect of Anagrelide on Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 Levels

The aim of this investigation is to study the effect of ANA on platelet endothelial activation and release of FGF-2. The natural history of essential thrombocythemia includes the development of myelofibrosis. ET's myelosuppressive medication may itself raise the likelihood of myelofibrosis transformation. The difficulty in treating ET is avoiding this risk. Activated thrombocythemic platelets are said to release fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2). Anagrelide (ANA) is a myelosuppressive agent that inhibits the platelet function. The major concern regarding ANA is whether it do not increase the putative risk of transformation to myelofibrosis. In this study we report the results of a randomized group of patients with ET in treatment with ANA that after a follow-up of 5 years showed a reduction in the myelofibrosis. A likely explanation for this finding is the broader activity of ANA which also affects the platelet function. In the present study, we reported that ANA normalizes the FGF-2 levels through the inhibition of platelet endothelial activation improving the outcome of ET patients in terms of myeloproliferation and fibrosis.