Evaluation of response after first–line treatment
Response rates were categorized as complete response, partial response, or no response as follows: a platelet count lower than 30×109/L and absence of doubling from baseline was considered as no response; a platelet count ≥30×109/L but <100×109/L, and presence of a doubling from baseline and absence of bleeding were considered as a partial response; and a platelet count ≥100×109/L that persisted for 3 months or longer was considered as a complete response (1).