TPO-Mimetic Use in Children for Hematopoietic Failure

This investigator-initiated study will investigate the safety and efficacy of Romiplostim, thrombopoietin (TPO) mimetic, in children (ages: 0 to 21 years) with broad scope of bone marrow failure disorders (BMF) including acquired and inherited conditions as a first line of therapy along with standard of care.

Objectives: Primary objectives are to evaluate safety and preliminary efficacy of Romiplostim in children with BMF. Methods: This open label, prospective Pilot interventional study has two arms.

Arm A will include acquired bone marrow failure (BMF) disorders including aplastic anemia, refractory cytopenia of childhood without monosomy 7 and 5q deletion abnormalities, toxin induced myelosuppression due to infection and inherited cytopenia with or without involvement of other cell lines who are transfusion dependent and or showing progression to bone marrow failure. Arm B will include children with chemo and or radiotherapy induced thrombocytopenia/cytopenia and children undergoing stem cell transplantation (SCT). Children with cancer predisposition and other morbidities which are considered significant by the investigator will be excluded from the study.

Inclusion criteria

• Age ≥ 0 to ≤ 21 years
• Child should be receiving ongoing care with pediatric hematology/oncology providers
• Those enrolled in Arm A of the study should have a confirmed diagnosis of any of the following

a. aplastic anemia i. Diagnosis of severe Aplastic anemia (newly diagnosed or refractory based on history of prior treatments) is established if Bone marrow cellularity <25% or and at least two of the following criteria are met:- (i) absolute neutrophil count less than 0.5 × 10^9/L, (ii) platelet count less than 20 × 10^9/L, and (iii) reticulocyte count less than 20 × 10^9/L ii. Moderate aplastic anemia is defined as bone marrow cellularity <50 percent and depression of at least two out of three blood counts below the normal values: criteria are met:- (i) absolute neutrophil count less than 1.2x10^9/m3, (ii) platelet count less than 70x10^9/L, and (iii) anemia with hemoglobin less than or equal to 8.5 g/dL and absolute reticulocyte count less than or equal to 60x10^9/L in transfusion-dependent patients but not fulfilling the criteria of severe aplastic anemia

b. refractory cytopenia of childhood without monosomy 7 or 5q- and without an evidence of cytogenetic abnormality with predisposition to leukemia

c. myelo-suppression contributing to severe pancytopenia (absolute neutrophil count <0.5 x 10^3/mm^3; platelet count less than 20 × 10^9/L, and reticulocyte count less than 20 × 10^9/L secondary to any other drug or infection

d. diagnosis of inherited bone marrow failure without chromosomal fragility disorder

• Those enrolled in Arm B of the study should have a confirmed diagnosis of any of the following:

• myelo-suppression specifically thrombocytopenia as defined by primary oncologist in children with solid tumors secondary to chemotherapy or radiation therapy contributing to delay in chemotherapy
• patient undergoing stem cell transplantation and experiencing persistent thrombocytopenia. This will include children not requiring platelet transfusions with a platelet count of <10 x 109/L, as well as those requiring platelet transfusions (transfusion dependent) for prevention of bleeding diathesis regardless of their platelet count at the time of recruitment (note: due to delayed engraftment these patients may have a higher platelet count because of platelet transfusion needs at the time of recruitment).
• Adequate organ function within 7 days of enrollment defined as:

• Creatinine: ≤ 2.0 mg/dL
• Hepatic function:

• For arm A, elevation of liver enzymes is acceptable for patients with hepatitis induced SAA as long as patient does not have history of chronic liver problem. If necessary, liver biopsy will be performed.
• For Arm B, elevation of liver enzymes will be accepted as long as no chronic liver problem. Liver biopsy will be performed if necessary.
• Females of childbearing potential agree to use effective contraception during the study period and for 4 months after completion of therapy
• Must be able to provide written and voluntary informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Gestational age < 32 weeks or Age > 21 years at the time of study enrolment
• Preexisting condition with predisposition for thrombosis
• Diagnosis of bone marrow failure syndrome with cancer predisposition including chromosomal fragility disorders (Fanconi anemia, Bloom syndrome, Ataxia Telangiectasia) and other conditions with known association towards cancer predisposition
• Presence of complex karyotype or monosomy 7 or 5q- or other cytogenetic abnormality with known predisposition to cancer.
• Diagnosis of MDS with excess blasts in transformation
• Female subjects who are nursing or pregnant (positive serum or urine β-human chorionic gonadotropin [β-hCG] pregnancy test) at screening or pre-dose on Day 1.
• Current alcohol or drug abuse.
• Treatment with an investigational drug within 30 days or 5 half-lives (whichever is longer) preceding the first dose of study medication.
• Active and uncontrolled infections (e.g. sepsis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C).
• Chronic liver disease ie. Fibrosis or cirrhosis
• Subjects infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
• Have a known immediate or delayed hypersensitivity reaction or idiosyncrasy to drugs chemically related to Romiplostim that contraindicates the subjects' participation
• Known history of sensitivity or allergy to the active substance, to any of the excipients, or to any E. coli-derived product.
• Moribund status or concurrent hepatic, renal, cardiac, neurologic, pulmonary, infectious, or metabolic disease of such severity that it would preclude the patient's ability to tolerate protocol therapy, or that death within 7-10 days is likely.
• Subjects who have participated in any study using an investigational drug during the previous 30 days.
• Non-English-speaking families who cannot speak or read English