Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, IdiopathicPhase 3NCT05438875
The Combination of ATRA and Eltrombopag as the Treatment of Steroid-resistant/Relapse ITP Based on MSC-C5b-9
A Phase 3 study testing all-trans retinoic acid and Eltrombopag in people with Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic, run by Peking University People's Hospital at 5 sites in China.
Trial summary
A Prospective, Randomized, Open-Label, Multicenter Clinical Trial study to compare the efficacy and safety of ATRA plus eltrombopag compared to eltrombopag monotherapy in the treatment of steroid-resistant/relapsed immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic
- What is being tested?
- all-trans retinoic acid and Eltrombopag
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 96 participants
- Where
- 5 sitesChina
- Study dates
- 12 Oct 2022to 30 Nov 2024
- Phase
- Phase 3
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- 1. Isolated thrombocytopenia (platelet count <30 × 109/L); 2. age > 18 years; 3. normal white blood cells and red blood cells on bone marrow examination; 4. increased number of megakaryocytes (bone marrow examination was performed in all patients except for myelofibrosis or other conditions that can cause thrombocytopenia disease); 5. the spleen was normal in size; 6. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group status score (ECOG score) ≤ 2; 7. ineffective or relapsed after at least 1 course of full-dose full-course hormone therapy; 8. Failure of prior ITP therapy (eg, hormones, splenectomy, and cyclosporine) and at least 4 weeks from enrollment.
Who cannot join
- 1. Secondary ITP such as drug-related thrombocytopenia; 2. thrombocytopenia due to viral infection (HIV, hepatitis B virus, or hepatitis C virus); 3. severe cardiac, renal, hepatic, or respiratory insufficiency; 4. severe immunodeficiency; 5. pregnancy or lactation; 6. myelodysplasia or Myelofibrosis; 7. history of malignancy; 8. ongoing immunosuppressive therapy for other diseases; 9. patients previously treated with eltrombopag were excluded from this study.
Trial locations and contacts
5 sites in 1 country.
5 sites in 1 country
China5 sites
Peking University Insititute of Hematology, Peking University People's Hospital
Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100010
Beijing Tongren hospital
Beijing, Beijing Municipality
Department of Hematology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University
Beijing
Department of Hematology, Beijing Hospital
Beijing
Department of Hematology, Senior Department of Hematology, the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital
Beijing
About this study
Official title: The Combination of ATRA and Eltrombopag as the Treatment Strategy for Glucocorticoid-Resistant/Relapsed ITP Based on the Stratification of the New Biomarker MSC-C5b-9: A Prospective, Randomized, Open-Label, Multicenter Clinical Trial
A Prospective, Randomized, Open-Label, Multicenter Clinical Trial study to compare the efficacy and safety of ATRA plus eltrombopag compared to eltrombopag monotherapy in the treatment of steroid-resistant/relapsed immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).
Read the detailed description
The investigators are undertaking a parallel group, multicenter, randomized controlled trial of patients with ITP in China. Patients were tested for MSCs, and they were divided into MSC-C5b-9+ group and MSC-C5b-9- group according to the test results, and the two groups were randomized to ATRA + eltrombopag and eltrombopag monotherapy group. Platelet count, bleeding and other symptoms were evaluated before and after treatment. Adverse events are also recorded throughout the study.
- Conditions
- Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic
- Being tested
- all-trans retinoic acid, Eltrombopag
- Keywords
- Resistant/recurrent ITP, MSC-C5b-9 marker, all-trans retinoic acid, Eltrombopag, prospective clinical study
- Medical subject headings
- Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
all-trans retinoic acidDrug
Also called retinoic acid
ATRA 10 mg, 2 times a day, orally.The treatment course is 12 weeks.
EltrombopagDrug
Also called TPO-RA
The initial dose of eltrombopag is 50 mg/time, once a day, and the dose is increased when the platelet count is lower than 5×109/L, the maximum is 75 mg/d, and the dose is higher than 200×109/L. When the drug is temporarily discontinued, the drug is re-administered according to the platelet count.The treatment course is 12 weeks.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Eltrombopag | Active comparator | The initial dose of eltrombopag was 50 mg/time, once a day. According to the clinical standard of eltrombopag dose adjustment in the research protocol set by the research group, the dose was increased when the platelet count was lower than 5×109/L. The highest is 75mg/d, if the dose is higher than 200×109/L, the dose is reduced. When the dose is higher than 400×109/L, the drug is temporarily discontinued, and the drug is repeated according to the platelet count. The treatment course is 12 weeks. Receives: Drug: Eltrombopag |
| ATRA and Eltrombopag | Experimental | ATRA 10 mg, 2 times a day, orally; The initial dose of eltrombopag was 50 mg/time, once a day. According to the clinical standard of eltrombopag dose adjustment in the research protocol set by the research group, the dose was increased when the platelet count was lower than 5×109/L. The maximum dose is 75 mg/d, the dose is reduced if it is higher than 200×109/L, and the drug is temporarily discontinued when it is higher than 400×109/L, and the drug is repeated according to the platelet count. The treatment course is 12 weeks. Receives: Drug: all-trans retinoic acid; Drug: Eltrombopag |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Sustained Response Rate (SR) at 18 months
The maintenance of platelet count ≥ 30 x 10^9/L, at least 2-fold increase of the baseline count, the absence of bleeding, and no need for rescue medication at the 18-month follow-up
Measured: 18 months
Secondary outcomes (8)
Complete response rate (CR)
The complete response (CR) was defined as platelet count more than 100×10^9/L and absence of bleeding.
Measured: 18 months
Response rate (R)
The Response rate (R) was defined as platelet count more than 30×10^9/L and more than 2 times higher than baseline, without bleeding
Measured: 18 months
Inefficiency (NR)
Platelet count <30×10^9/L, or less than 2-fold increase from baseline or associated with bleeding
Measured: 18 months
Recurrence rate (relapse)
After the treatment is effective, the platelet count drops below 30×10^9/L or drops to less than 2 times the basal value, or bleeding symptoms occur
Measured: 18 months
Early response
Platelet count ≥30×10^9/L and at least doubling baseline at 1 wk.
Measured: 1 week
Initial response
Initial response as platelet count more than 30×10^9/L and at least 2-fold increase of the baseline count and absence of bleeding.
Measured: 1 month
Time to response (TTR)
The time from starting treatment to time of achievement of CR or R
Measured: 18 months
Time to relapse (duration of efficacy)
The time from achievement of CR or R to time of relapse
Measured: 18 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted30 Jun 2022
- Study start12 Oct 2022
- Primary completion30 Nov 2024
- Study completion30 Nov 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, IdiopathicStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Peking University People's HospitalThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 3
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 96 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Peking University People's Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Beijing Friendship Hospital, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Beijing Hospital, Navy General Hospital, Beijing
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Xiao Hui Zhang, Peking University People's Hospital
- Investigators
- Xiaohui Zhang, MD, Principal investigator, Study Principal Investigator Peking University People's Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05438875
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2022-1-4082
- Status last verified
- Dec 2024
- First submitted
- 25 Jun 2022
- Last updated
- 9 Sep 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Publications
Fu H, An Z, Li M, Liu Y, Liu H, Feng R, Wang Z, Zhang G, Wang J, Yang L, Huang Q, Zhao P, Zang M, Wang C, He Y, Zhu X, Liu H, Wang Y, Xu L, Kong Y, Chang Y, Zhao X, Wang Y, Feng G, Huang X, Zhang X. All-Trans Retinoic Acid plus Eltrombopag for Refractory/Relapsed Immune Thrombocytopenia. NEJM Evid. 2026 Aug;5(8):EVIDoa2500333. doi: 10.1056/EVIDoa2500333. Epub 2026 Jul 28.
PubMed 42517709
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 9 Sep 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Combination of ATRA and Eltrombopag as the Treatment Strategy for Glucocorticoid-Resistant/Relapsed ITP Based on the Stratification of the New Biomarker MSC-C5b-9: A Prospective, Randomized, Open-Label, Multicenter Clinical Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05438875
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2022-1-4082
- Conditions
- Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic
- Keywords
- Resistant/recurrent ITP, MSC-C5b-9 marker, all-trans retinoic acid, Eltrombopag, prospective clinical study
- Phase
- Phase 3
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 96 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Peking University People's HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Beijing Friendship Hospital, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Beijing Hospital, Navy General Hospital, Beijing
- Study start
- 12 Oct 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Nov 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Nov 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 30 Jun 2022 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
A Prospective, Randomized, Open-Label, Multicenter Clinical Trial study to compare the efficacy and safety of ATRA plus eltrombopag compared to eltrombopag monotherapy in the treatment of steroid-resistant/relapsed immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).
Detailed description
The investigators are undertaking a parallel group, multicenter, randomized controlled trial of patients with ITP in China. Patients were tested for MSCs, and they were divided into MSC-C5b-9+ group and MSC-C5b-9- group according to the test results, and the two groups were randomized to ATRA + eltrombopag and eltrombopag monotherapy group. Platelet count, bleeding and other symptoms were evaluated before and after treatment. Adverse events are also recorded throughout the study.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Eltrombopag | Active comparator | Drug: EltrombopagThe initial dose of eltrombopag was 50 mg/time, once a day. According to the clinical standard of eltrombopag dose adjustment in the research protocol set by the research group, the dose was increased when the platelet count was lower than 5×109/L. The highest is 75mg/d, if the dose is higher than 200×109/L, the dose is reduced. When the dose is higher than 400×109/L, the drug is temporarily discontinued, and the drug is repeated according to the platelet count. The treatment course is 12 weeks. |
| ATRA and Eltrombopag | Experimental | Drug: all-trans retinoic acid, Drug: EltrombopagATRA 10 mg, 2 times a day, orally; The initial dose of eltrombopag was 50 mg/time, once a day. According to the clinical standard of eltrombopag dose adjustment in the research protocol set by the research group, the dose was increased when the platelet count was lower than 5×109/L. The maximum dose is 75 mg/d, the dose is reduced if it is higher than 200×109/L, and the drug is temporarily discontinued when it is higher than 400×109/L, and the drug is repeated according to the platelet count. The treatment course is 12 weeks. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- 1. Isolated thrombocytopenia (platelet count <30 × 109/L); 2. age > 18 years; 3. normal white blood cells and red blood cells on bone marrow examination; 4. increased number of megakaryocytes (bone marrow examination was performed in all patients except for myelofibrosis or other conditions that can cause thrombocytopenia disease); 5. the spleen was normal in size; 6. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group status score (ECOG score) ≤ 2; 7. ineffective or relapsed after at least 1 course of full-dose full-course hormone therapy; 8. Failure of prior ITP therapy (eg, hormones, splenectomy, and cyclosporine) and at least 4 weeks from enrollment.
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- 1. Secondary ITP such as drug-related thrombocytopenia; 2. thrombocytopenia due to viral infection (HIV, hepatitis B virus, or hepatitis C virus); 3. severe cardiac, renal, hepatic, or respiratory insufficiency; 4. severe immunodeficiency; 5. pregnancy or lactation; 6. myelodysplasia or Myelofibrosis; 7. history of malignancy; 8. ongoing immunosuppressive therapy for other diseases; 9. patients previously treated with eltrombopag were excluded from this study.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| all-trans retinoic acidAlso: retinoic acidATRA 10 mg, 2 times a day, orally.The treatment course is 12 weeks. | Drug | ATRA and Eltrombopag |
| EltrombopagAlso: TPO-RAThe initial dose of eltrombopag is 50 mg/time, once a day, and the dose is increased when the platelet count is lower than 5×109/L, the maximum is 75 mg/d, and the dose is higher than 200×109/L. When the drug is temporarily discontinued, the drug is re-administered according to the platelet count.The treatment course is 12 weeks. | Drug | ATRA and Eltrombopag, Eltrombopag |
Primary outcome
Sustained Response Rate (SR) at 18 months
Time frame: 18 months
The maintenance of platelet count ≥ 30 x 10^9/L, at least 2-fold increase of the baseline count, the absence of bleeding, and no need for rescue medication at the 18-month follow-up
8 secondary outcomes
Complete response rate (CR)
Time frame: 18 months
Response rate (R)
Time frame: 18 months
Inefficiency (NR)
Time frame: 18 months
Recurrence rate (relapse)
Time frame: 18 months
Early response
Time frame: 1 week
Initial response
Time frame: 1 month
Time to response (TTR)
Time frame: 18 months
Time to relapse (duration of efficacy)
Time frame: 18 months
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 9 Sep 2025.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 42517709Fu H, An Z, Li M, Liu Y, Liu H, Feng R, Wang Z, Zhang G, Wang J, Yang L, Huang Q, Zhao P, Zang M, Wang C, He Y, Zhu X, Liu H, Wang Y, Xu L, Kong Y, Chang Y, Zhao X, Wang Y, Feng G, Huang X, Zhang X. All-Trans Retinoic Acid plus Eltrombopag for Refractory/Relapsed Immune Thrombocytopenia. NEJM Evid. 2026 Aug;5(8):EVIDoa2500333. doi: 10.1056/EVIDoa2500333. Epub 2026 Jul 28.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Xiaohui Zhang, MD principal investigator
Study Principal Investigator Peking University People's Hospital
5 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 3 study testing all-trans retinoic acid and Eltrombopag in people with Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic, run by Peking University People's Hospital at 5 sites in China.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 9 Sep 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 5 sites in China. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this phase mean?
Phase 3 studies compare the treatment with the current standard treatment or a placebo in a large group, to confirm how well it works and watch for side effects.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Sustained Response Rate (SR) at 18 months (time frame: 18 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05438875, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 9 Sep 2025.