Anagrelide for the treatment of essential thrombocythemia: a survey among European hematologists/oncologists.

Two hundred and fifty hematologists and oncologists (50 each from France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom) participated in this survey to assess the current management of essential thrombocythemia (ET), with particular reference to the use of anagrelide. Data were collected between October 9 and November 2, 2006 on 2000 patients with ET. Thirty-eight per cent of patients had been tested for the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) mutation (JAK2V617F), of whom 54% tested positive. JAK2V617F mutation status was not influenced by age, gender or cardiovascular risk. Overall, 297 patients (14.9%) were receiving anagrelide hydrochloride; 16.8% of these patients were aged 18-40 years, 43.1% aged 41-60 years and 40.1% aged over 60 years. Hydroxycarbamide, alone or in combination with aspirin, was the most commonly prescribed treatment in 136/191 (71.2%) patients prior to switching to anagrelide. In conclusion, this survey provides a useful insight into the epidemiology of ET and current prescribing patterns for anagrelide in Europe.