Efficacy and safety of avatrombopag in aplastic anemia: a comprehensive review of clinical evidence.

Aplastic anemia is a bone marrow failure disorder marked by cytopenias that impair oxygen delivery, immune defense, and hemostasis. Standard therapy traditionally combines immunosuppression with or without hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and more recently incorporates thrombopoietin receptor agonists to stimulate residual hematopoiesis. Eltrombopag improved outcomes when added to immunosuppressive therapy, but its association with hepatotoxicity limits its suitability for patients with underlying liver disease or elevated baseline liver enzymes. Avatrombopag is a newer oral thrombopoietin receptor agonist that does not require dietary restrictions and does not undergo significant hepatic metabolism, which offers a potential therapeutic advantage in settings where liver function is compromised. This review evaluated ten clinical studies published from 2023 to October 2025 that investigated avatrombopag in acquired aplastic anemia across varied patient populations, including treatment-naive, relapsed or refractory cases, older adults, and patients with secondary aplastic anemia related to chemoradiation. Across these studies, overall response rates ranged from 55% to 85%, and complete response rates reached up to one-third of treated patients. Response onset typically occurred within 1-2 months, which aligns with clinical decision timelines for assessing therapeutic benefit. Avatrombopag supported reductions in transfusion requirements and sustained hematologic improvement in both severe and non-severe disease. Patients previously intolerant or non-responsive to eltrombopag also demonstrated clinical improvement, which suggests pharmacologic differences translate into meaningful therapeutic effects. Importantly, avatrombopag demonstrated a favorable safety profile in all reviewed settings. Reports did not identify clinically relevant hepatotoxicity, clonal evolution, or treatment-limiting adverse effects. Its tolerability in patients with liver dysfunction distinguishes it from earlier agents in this drug class. Ongoing trials will clarify optimal dosing strategies and define its future role within first-line therapy and salvage treatment pathways for aplastic anemia.