Estrategias terapéuticas en el síndrome antifosfolipídico

The effects of hydroxychloroquine and its promising use in refractory obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is obtained by hydroxylation of chloroquine (CQ) and the first indication was malaria. Nowadays, HCQ is commonly used in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with favorable results. Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by thrombosis and/or pregnancy morbidity and persistent positivity of antiphospholipid antibodies. Around 20-30% of pregnant women with APS develop adverse pregnancy outcomes despite conventional treatment with aspirin and heparin, called refractory obstetric APS. Interestingly, HCQ has shown positive effects on top of the standard of care in some refractory obstetric APS patients. HCQ mechanisms of action in APS comprise its ability to bind sialic acid present in cell membranes, its capacity to block the binding of antiphospholipid antibodies to the cell and the induced increase of pH in extracellular and intracellular compartments. However, the precise mechanisms of HCQ in the specific situation of refractory APS still need to be fully clarified. Therefore, this review summarizes the known modulating effects of HCQ and CQ, their side effects and use in APS and different pathologies to understand the benefit effects and the mechanism of action of HCQ in refractory obstetric APS.

Systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a remarkable and challenging disorder. Its diversity of clinical features is matched by the complexity of the factors (genetic, hormonal, and environmental) that cause it, and the array of autoantibodies with which it is associated. In this Seminar we reflect on changes in its classification criteria; consider aspects of its more serious clinical expression; and provide a brief review of its aetiopathogenesis, major complications, coping strategies, and conventional treatment. Increased understanding of the cells and molecules involved in the development of the diseases has encouraged the identification of new, better targeted biological approaches to its treatment. The precise role of these newer therapies remains to be established.

Antiphospholipid syndrome and recurrent thrombosis--limitations of current treatment strategies

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a systemic autoimmune disorder that is characterised by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies and a common cause of vascular thromboembolic phenomena. The management of patients with APS is currently directed to antithrombotic medications. The international therapeutic guidelines recommend oral anticoagulation with warfarin indefinitely after the first thrombotic episode. However, therapeutic guidelines lack for a minority group of patients - the patients appropriately anticoagulated with recurrent thromboembolic phenomena. The authors present a clinical report that reveals the therapeutic and diagnostic complexity of this specific group of patients. Regarding recent studies, APS has been revealed as a complex syndrome with multiple pathophysiological mechanisms previously unknown. In this context, new therapeutic approaches have been defended and empirically experienced, with potentially promising results.