Question:

Which of the following is given to treat thrombocytopenia secondary to anti-cancer therapy and is known to stimulate progenitor megakaryocytes?

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Recombinant IL-11 that boosts megakaryocyte progenitors and platelet output.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
  • Filgrastim
  • Oprelvekin
  • Erythropoietin
  • Anagrelide
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: The agent needed must boost platelet production by stimulating megakaryocyte progenitors and is used for chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia.

Step 2: Oprelvekin is recombinant human interleukin-11 (IL-11). It stimulates the proliferation of megakaryocyte progenitors and megakaryocyte maturation, thereby raising the platelet count, and is approved to prevent and treat thrombocytopenia after myelosuppressive chemotherapy.

Step 3: Why the others are wrong - Filgrastim is recombinant G-CSF that raises neutrophils, not platelets; erythropoietin stimulates red cell production for anaemia; anagrelide actually lowers the platelet count and is used in thrombocythemia, the opposite of what is needed here.

Step 4: Hence the correct drug is oprelvekin.
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