What does Anagrelide hydrochloride do?

The exact mechanism by which Anagrelide lowers platelet counts is unknown. In cell culture studies, anagrelide inhibited the expression of transcription factors including GATA-1 and FOG-1 required for megakaryopoiesis, ultimately leading to reduced platelet production. Anagrelide inhibits the activity of phosphonucleotide cyclase, an enzyme that catalyzes the cyclization of phosphate nucleotides, thereby promoting platelet production and release. By inhibiting the activity of this enzyme, anagrelide reduces the degradation of adenosine diphosphate (cAMP) and increases the concentration of cAMP, thereby inhibiting the process of platelet production. Anagrelide acts on megakaryocytes in the bone marrow, preventing their maturation and differentiation and inhibiting the production of platelets.