Abstract:Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of recombinant human interleukin 11 (rhIL-11) in the treatment of thrombocytopenia of severe aplastic anemia (SAA). Methods All of the 30 patients, who were hospitalized for SAA in our hospital from June 2005 to December 2014, received the treatment of Porcine Anti-Human Lymphocyte Immunoglobulin (p-ALG). They were divided into rhIL-11 group and control group. After the treatment of p-ALG, the patients in the rhIL-11 group were given rhIL-11 3 mg/d. Platelets were transfused when the platelet count was below 10×109/L. Blood routine was monitored, adverse reactions of the patients after drug administration and the number of apheresis platelets transfusion were recorded. Results The average time of platelet count recovered from the lowest level to 20×109/L in the rhIL-11 group [(43.43 ± 11.78) d] was significantly shorter than that in the control group [(53.42 ± 10.80) d; t = -2.672, P = 0.012]; the recovery time from the lowest level to 100×109/L in the rhIL-11 group [(72.43 ± 16.97) d] was also significantly shorter than that in the control group [(86.85 ± 10.73) d; t = -2.734,P = 0.011]. The average number of apheresis platelets transfusion for platelet recovery to 20×109/L in the rhIL-11 group and the control group were (5.81 ± 2.17) u and (8.00 ± 2.29) u with significant difference (t = -2.688, P = 0.012). The main adverse reactions were edema, pain of injection site, conjunctival congestion, fatigue and fever which were tolerable. Conclusions rhIL-11 is able to promote platelet recovery, shorten the time of platelet recovery in patients with severe aplastic anemia. It can also effectively reduce the number of apheresis platelets transfusion and the risk of bleeding. The side-effects of the rhIL-11 treatment are mild. It has safety and good tolerance, and is worth further popularization in clinic.