Chemotherapy Biotherapy Certification ONS Practice Testq

Which treatment is particularly beneficial for patients with low platelet counts?

1. G-CSF

2. Erythropoietin

3. Peptibody proteins

4. Monoclonal antibodies

The correct answer is: Peptibody proteins

Peptibody proteins represent a novel class of therapeutic agents that can be designed to enhance various biological responses, including those related to hematologic recovery. In the context of patients with low platelet counts, often seen in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, treatments that promote platelet production or maturation are crucial. Peptibody therapy can stimulate megakaryocyte differentiation or enhance the hematopoietic microenvironment, leading to increased platelet production in the bone marrow. This can be particularly beneficial in managing cytopenias caused by chemotherapy or other myelosuppressive treatments. In contrast, the other treatment options listed do not specifically target platelet production. G-CSF is aimed at increasing neutrophil counts, erythropoietin is used for red blood cell production, and monoclonal antibodies typically target specific antigens and do not address platelet levels directly. Therefore, the use of peptibody proteins stands out in their direct relevance to improving low platelet counts.