Secondary Prophylaxis in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) and Chemotherapy-induced Thrombocytopenia

Inclusion Criteria: * Patient with NHL of any histotype, both at diagnosis or at relapse, who experienced grade 4 CIT after the first course of chemotherapy containing high doses of methotrexate, cytarabine, cisplatin, cyclophosphamide and/or ifosfamide, and/or conventional doses of anthracyclines or purine analogs, with or without rituximab. The same type of chemotherapy where the grade 4 CIT occurred will be continued at the same planned doses for a maximum of 8 courses. * ECOG performance status score \</= 3. * Adequate bone marrow function (ANC \>1.000; Hb \>9,5 g/dL; PLT \> 75.000). Exclusion Criteria: * Patients eligible for high-dose chemotherapy, where stem cell support is planned. * Thrombotic events in the previous 5 years before enrolment. * Other malignancies diagnosed in the previous 5 years before enrolment. * Severe concomitant illnesses/medical conditions (e.g. impaired respiratory and/or cardiac function, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus). * Active infectious disease. * Impaired liver function (bilirubin \>2 x upper normal limit; ALT/AST/GGT \> 3 x upper normal limit) at one month from salvage chemotherapy conclusion. * Impaired renal function (creatinine clearance \<50 ml/min) at one month from salvage chemotherapy conclusion. * Non-cooperative behavior or non-compliance. * Psychiatric diseases or conditions that might impair the ability to give informed consent. * Pregnant or lactating females. * Previous therapy with any TPO-mimetic or similar substances.…