AMG 531: An investigational thrombopoiesis-stimulating peptibody

Thrombopoietin (TPO) regulates megakaryopoiesis and the generation of platelets. Recombinant TPO has been investigated in clinical studies for use in thrombocytopenia with limited success. A new peptibody, AMG 531, has been shown to increase platelet counts in preclinical and Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies and to be generally safe and tolerable in those studies. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2006;47:723–725. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.