Anagrelide

The exact mechanism by which anagrelide lowers platelet count is unclear. Evidence from human trials suggests a dose-related suppression of megakaryocyte maturation, the cells responsible for platelet production - blood drawn from patients receiving anagrelide showed a disruption to the post-mitotic phase of megakaryocyte development and a subsequent reduction in their size and ploidy. This may be achieved via indirect suppression of certain transcription factors required for megakaryocytopoeisis, including GATA-1 and FOG-1.

Anagrelide is a known inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 3A (PDE3A), although its platelet-lowering effects appear unrelated to this inhibition. While PDE3 inhibitors, as a class, can inhibit platelet aggregation, this effect is only seen at higher anagrelide doses (i.e. greater than those required to reduce platelet count). Modulation of PDE3A has been implicated in causing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in cancer cells expressing both PDE3A and SLFN12, and may be of value in the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumours.