A medication already approved for another condition could soon change how doctors manage one of chemotherapy’s most dangerous side effects—uncontrolled bleeding.

A new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine reveals that romiplostim may help protect cancer patients from chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia, a condition where platelet levels drop sharply, increasing the risk of serious or even life-threatening bleeding.

Chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia occurs when cancer treatment damages the bone marrow, reducing its ability to produce platelets—the blood components essential for clotting. Until now, doctors have had few options to manage this risk other than lowering or delaying chemotherapy doses, a compromise that can weaken the effectiveness of cancer treatment.

“This is a major step forward,” said Hanny Al-Samkari, a hematologist involved in the study. He noted that for years, the lack of approved treatments for this condition has forced clinicians to choose between protecting patients from bleeding and maintaining the intensity of cancer therapy.

The study involved 165 patients with advanced cancers, including colon, gastroesophageal, and pancreatic cancers. Participants were divided into two groups, with one receiving romiplostim and the other given a placebo.

The results were striking. Patients treated with romiplostim were more than ten times less likely to need a reduction in their chemotherapy dose due to low platelet counts. In fact, 84% of patients on the drug were able to continue full-dose chemotherapy without interruption, compared to just 36% in the placebo group.

Researchers say this could have far-reaching implications. Maintaining full-dose chemotherapy on schedule is often critical for improving survival rates and increasing the chances of curing cancer. By helping the bone marrow withstand the effects of chemotherapy, romiplostim may allow patients to receive the most effective treatment possible.

Originally approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2008 for immune-related platelet disorders, romiplostim works by stimulating the bone marrow to produce more platelets. Its potential new role in cancer care highlights how existing drugs can be repurposed to address unmet medical needs.

As with any treatment, side effects were reported. The most common were mild, including nausea and headaches, and did not require patients to stop treatment. More serious side effects were observed in some patients, but researchers believe these were largely linked to the chemotherapy itself, especially since patients on romiplostim were able to tolerate higher doses.

While more research may be needed, the findings offer a promising new approach for managing a long-standing challenge in cancer care. For patients undergoing chemotherapy, this could mean fewer interruptions, safer treatment, and ultimately, better outcomes.