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Barcellini W, Fattizzo B. The evolving management algorithm for the patient with newly diagnosed cold agglutinin disease. Expert Rev Hematol 2024; 17:287-294. [PMID: 38872338 DOI: 10.1080/17474086.2024.2366540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cold agglutinin disease (CAD) is driven by IgM autoantibodies reactive at <37°C and able to fix complement. The activation of the classical complement pathway leads to C3-mediated extravascular hemolysis in the liver and to intravascular hemolytic crises in case of complement amplifying conditions. C3 positivity at direct Coombs test along with high titer agglutins are required for the diagnosis. Treatment is less standardized. AREAS COVERED This review recapitulates CAD diagnosis and then focus on the evolving management of the disease. Both current approach and novel targeted drugs are discussed. Literature search was conducted in PubMed and Scopus from 2000 to 2024 using 'CAD' and 'autoimmune hemolytic anemia' as keywords. EXPERT OPINION Rituximab represents the frontline approach in patients with symptomatic anemia or disabling cold-induced peripheral symptoms and is effective in 50-60% of cases. Refractory/relapsing patients are an unmet need and may now benefit from complement inhibitors, particularly the anti-C1s sutimlimab, effective in controlling hemolysis thus improving anemia in >80% of patients, but not active on cold-induced peripheral symptoms. Novel drugs include long-acting complement inhibitors, plasma cells, and B-cell targeting agents (proteasome inhibitors, anti-CD38, BTKi, PI3Ki, anti-BAFF). Combination therapy may be the future answer to CAD unmet needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilma Barcellini
- SC Ematologia, SS Fisiopatologia delle Anemie, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Bruno Fattizzo
- SC Ematologia, SS Fisiopatologia delle Anemie, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Fattizzo B, Pedone GL, Brambilla C, Pettine L, Zaninoni A, Passamonti F, Barcellini W. Recombinant erythropoietin in autoimmune hemolytic anemia with inadequate bone marrow response: a prospective analysis. Blood Adv 2024; 8:1322-1327. [PMID: 38029356 PMCID: PMC10943536 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023011798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Up to 30% of patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) show inadequate bone marrow (BM) compensatory response with inappropriately low levels of reticulocytes and endogenous erythropoietin. Ineffective BM compensation is associated with more severe anemia, transfusion need, and hospital admission, and treatment with recombinant erythropoietin (rEPO) may be beneficial. Here, we prospectively analyzed the efficacy and safety of rEPO in a single-center cohort of 47 patients with AIHA with inadequate reticulocytosis and endogenous erythropoietin at baseline. Epoetin alpha 40 000 international units per week were administered subcutaneously until hemoglobin (Hb) >11 g/dL and then tapered off. Overall response was 55% at 15 days, 74% at 1 month, 74% at 3 months, 80% at 6 months, and 91% at 12 months. Consistently, Hb values significantly increased from baseline to each subsequent time point (P<.001) with a median increase of +1.4, +2.4, +3.4, +3.8, and +4.4 g/dL, respectively. Transfusion needs reduced from 30% to <10% at 15 days and thereafter (P < .001). Concomitant medications included prednisone or methylprednisolone (N = 40, stable since >2 weeks from enrollment), mycophenolate mofetil (N = 1, ongoing since >3 months from enrollment), and rituximab (N = 7 patients with cold agglutinin disease from day 8). No association between concomitant medications and response to rEPO was found. Treatment was generally safe without rEPO-related severe adverse events. The comparison with an AIHA population not treated with rEPO showed a significant benefit of rEPO at 15 days and 1 month on response and Hb increase. These data support the use of rEPO as an add on to standard immunosuppression in AIHA with inadequate BM compensation. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT05931718.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Fattizzo
- Hematology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giacinto Luca Pedone
- Hematology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Caterina Brambilla
- Hematology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Loredana Pettine
- Hematology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Zaninoni
- Hematology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Passamonti
- Hematology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Wilma Barcellini
- Hematology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
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Hansen DL, Maquet J, Lafaurie M, Möller S, Berentsen S, Frederiksen H, Moulis G, Gaist D. Primary autoimmune haemolytic anaemia is associated with increased risk of ischaemic stroke: A binational cohort study from Denmark and France. Br J Haematol 2024; 204:1072-1081. [PMID: 38098244 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.19242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Primary autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) causes the destruction of red blood cells and a subsequent pro-thrombotic state, potentially increasing the risk of ischaemic stroke. We investigated the risk of ischaemic stroke in patients with AIHA in a binational study. We used prospectively collected data from nationwide registers in Denmark and France to identify cohorts of patients with primary AIHA and age- and sex-matched general population comparators. We followed the patient and comparison cohorts for up to 5 years, with the first hospitalization of a stroke during follow-up as the main outcome. We estimated cumulative incidence, cause-specific hazard ratios (csHR) and adjusted for comorbidity and exposure to selected medications. The combined AIHA cohorts from both countries comprised 5994 patients and the 81 525 comparators. There were 130 ischaemic strokes in the AIHA cohort and 1821 among the comparators. Country-specific estimates were comparable, and the overall adjusted csHR was 1.36 [95% CI: 1.13-1.65], p = 0.001; the higher rate was limited to the first year after AIHA diagnosis (csHR 2.29 [95% CI: 1.77-2.97], p < 10-9 ) and decreased thereafter (csHR 0.89 [95% CI: 0.66-1.20], p = 0.45) (p-interaction < 10-5 ). The findings indicate that patients diagnosed with primary AIHA are at higher risk of ischaemic stroke in the first year after diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Lund Hansen
- Department of Hematology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Julien Maquet
- Department of Internal Medicine, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France
- Clinical Investigation Center 1436, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | - Margaux Lafaurie
- Clinical Investigation Center 1436, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | - Sören Möller
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- OPEN, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Sigbjørn Berentsen
- Department of Research and Innovation, Haugesund Hospital, Haugesund, Norway
| | - Henrik Frederiksen
- Department of Hematology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Guillaume Moulis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France
- Clinical Investigation Center 1436, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | - David Gaist
- Research Unit for Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Mulder FVM, Evers D, de Haas M, Cruijsen MJ, Bernelot Moens SJ, Barcellini W, Fattizzo B, Vos JMI. Severe autoimmune hemolytic anemia; epidemiology, clinical management, outcomes and knowledge gaps. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1228142. [PMID: 37795092 PMCID: PMC10545865 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1228142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is an acquired hemolytic disorder, mediated by auto-antibodies, and has a variable clinical course ranging from fully compensated low grade hemolysis to severe life-threatening cases. The rarity, heterogeneity and incomplete understanding of severe AIHA complicate the recognition and management of severe cases. In this review, we describe how severe AIHA can be defined and what is currently known of the severity and outcome of AIHA. There are no validated predictors for severe clinical course, but certain risk factors for poor outcomes (hospitalisation, transfusion need and mortality) can aid in recognizing severe cases. Some serological subtypes of AIHA (warm AIHA with complement positive DAT, mixed, atypical) are associated with lower hemoglobin levels, higher transfusion need and mortality. Currently, there is no evidence-based therapeutic approach for severe AIHA. We provide a general approach for the management of severe AIHA patients, incorporating monitoring, supportive measures and therapeutic options based on expert opinion. In cases where steroids fail, there is a lack of rapidly effective therapeutic options. In this era, numerous novel therapies are emerging for AIHA, including novel complement inhibitors, such as sutimlimab. Their potential in severe AIHA is discussed. Future research efforts are needed to gain a clearer picture of severe AIHA and develop prediction models for severe disease course. It is crucial to incorporate not only clinical characteristics but also biomarkers that are associated with pathophysiological differences and severity, to enhance the accuracy of prediction models and facilitate the selection of the optimal therapeutic approach. Future clinical trials should prioritize the inclusion of severe AIHA patients, particularly in the quest for rapidly acting novel agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Femke V. M. Mulder
- Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Translational Immunohematology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Dorothea Evers
- Department of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Masja de Haas
- Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Translational Immunohematology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Department of Immunohematology Diagnostics, Sanquin Diagnostic Services, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Sophie J. Bernelot Moens
- Department of Hematology and Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Wilma Barcellini
- Department of Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Bruno Fattizzo
- Department of Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Josephine M. I. Vos
- Department of Immunohematology Diagnostics, Sanquin Diagnostic Services, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Hematology and Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Shiroshita K, Okayama M, Soma H, Sato Y, Hayashi H, Shiozawa Y, Okamoto S, Sadahira K. Thromboembolism Early After Glucocorticoid Administration in Patients with Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia. Clin Hematol Int 2023:10.1007/s44228-023-00043-9. [PMID: 37093552 PMCID: PMC10123569 DOI: 10.1007/s44228-023-00043-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary embolism and deep venous thrombosis (PE/DVT) are well-known lethal complications in autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). However, the impact of their treatment is unclear. Here, we describe three elderly Japanese patients with AIHA who developed PE/DVT early after glucocorticoid administration. All patients presented with active hemolysis and high D-dimer levels upon admission. Thromboembolism was confirmed within 2 weeks after starting glucocorticoid, suggesting that both active hemolysis and glucocorticoid administration synergistically contributed to the development of PE/DVT. Clinicians should consider that such synergism may increase the risk of thromboembolism in patients with AIHA, and prophylactic anticoagulation is worth considering in patients after starting glucocorticoid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Shiroshita
- Division of Hematology, Kawasaki Municipal Kawasaki Hospital, 12-1 Shinkawa-dori, Kawasaki-city, Kanagawa, 210-0013, Japan.
| | - Mikio Okayama
- Division of Hematology, Kawasaki Municipal Kawasaki Hospital, 12-1 Shinkawa-dori, Kawasaki-city, Kanagawa, 210-0013, Japan
| | - Hiroki Soma
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Kawasaki Municipal Kawasaki Hospital, 12-1 Shinkawa-dori, Kawasaki-city, Kanagawa, 210-0013, Japan
| | - Yuki Sato
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Kawasaki Municipal Kawasaki Hospital, 12-1 Shinkawa-dori, Kawasaki-city, Kanagawa, 210-0013, Japan
| | - Hiroyoshi Hayashi
- Division of Hematology, Kawasaki Municipal Kawasaki Hospital, 12-1 Shinkawa-dori, Kawasaki-city, Kanagawa, 210-0013, Japan
| | - Yuka Shiozawa
- Division of Hematology, Kawasaki Municipal Kawasaki Hospital, 12-1 Shinkawa-dori, Kawasaki-city, Kanagawa, 210-0013, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Okamoto
- Division of Hematology, Kawasaki Municipal Kawasaki Hospital, 12-1 Shinkawa-dori, Kawasaki-city, Kanagawa, 210-0013, Japan
| | - Ken Sadahira
- Division of Hematology, Kawasaki Municipal Kawasaki Hospital, 12-1 Shinkawa-dori, Kawasaki-city, Kanagawa, 210-0013, Japan
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Gavillet M, Rufer N, Grandoni F, Rizzi M, Vulliemoz N, Baud D, Alberio L, Canellini G, Legardeur H. Successful outcome of pregnancy post-allogeneic stem cell transplant despite severe RH1 alloimmunization: A case report. Br J Haematol 2023; 201:581-584. [PMID: 36916418 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.18741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Gavillet
- Service and Central Laboratory of Haematology, Department of Oncology and Department of Laboratories and Pathology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Interregional Blood Transfusion SRC, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Nathalie Rufer
- Interregional Blood Transfusion SRC, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Grandoni
- Service and Central Laboratory of Haematology, Department of Oncology and Department of Laboratories and Pathology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Mattia Rizzi
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Unit, Division of Pediatrics, Department "Woman-Mother-Child", Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - David Baud
- Materno-fetal and Obstetrics Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lorenzo Alberio
- Service and Central Laboratory of Haematology, Department of Oncology and Department of Laboratories and Pathology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Hélène Legardeur
- Materno-fetal and Obstetrics Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
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Berentsen S, Fattizzo B, Barcellini W. The choice of new treatments in autoimmune hemolytic anemia: how to pick from the basket? Front Immunol 2023; 14:1180509. [PMID: 37168855 PMCID: PMC10165002 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1180509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is defined by increased erythrocyte turnover mediated by autoimmune mechanisms. While corticosteroids remain first-line therapy in most cases of warm-antibody AIHA, cold agglutinin disease is treated by targeting the underlying clonal B-cell proliferation or the classical complement activation pathway. Several new established or investigational drugs and treatment regimens have appeared during the last 1-2 decades, resulting in an improvement of therapy options but also raising challenges on how to select the best treatment in individual patients. In severe warm-antibody AIHA, there is evidence for the upfront addition of rituximab to prednisolone in the first line. Novel agents targeting B-cells, extravascular hemolysis, or removing IgG will offer further options in the acute and relapsed/refractory settings. In cold agglutinin disease, the development of complement inhibitors and B-cell targeting agents makes it possible to individualize therapy, based on the disease profile and patient characteristics. For most AIHAs, the optimal treatment remains to be found, and there is still a need for more evidence-based therapies. Therefore, prospective clinical trials should be encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigbjørn Berentsen
- Department of Research and Innovation, Haugesund Hospital, Helse Fonna Hospital Trust, Haugesund, Norway
- *Correspondence: Sigbjørn Berentsen,
| | - Bruno Fattizzo
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, and Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Wilma Barcellini
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
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Fattizzo B, Barcellini W. New Therapies for the Treatment of Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia. Transfus Med Rev 2022; 36:175-180. [PMID: 36182620 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmrv.2022.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In this review article we provide a critical insight into recent reports evaluating innovative therapies for warm type autoimmune hemolytic anemia (wAIHA). Among published articles, we selected two reports on the use of the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib in association with dexamethasone or rituximab, one study on the spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor fostamatinib, and a retrospective study on recombinant erythropoietin (rEPO). Among recent scientific communications, we discussed a report on the phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta inhibitor (PI3Kδi) parsaclisib. All studies highlighted a good efficacy although to be confirmed in larger trials and with limitations due to the heterogeneity of wAIHA patients enrolled, the small number of subjects, the concomitant medications allowed, and the short follow-up. Ongoing trials include new B-cell/plasma-cell targeting agents such as the Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors ibrutinib and rilzabrutinib, and the anti-CD38 MoAbs daratumumab and its analogue isatuximab. Further drugs in clinical trials target the complement cascade in wAIHA with complement activation, such as the C3 inhibitor pegcetacoplan and the C1q inhibitor ANX005. Finally, an interesting and non-immuno-toxic strategy is to remove the pathogenic autoantibodies via blocking the neonatal Fc receptor, by intravenous nipocalimab and subcutaneous RVT-1401. Such novel agents targeting the several immunopathological mechanisms acting in wAIHA and their possible combination, will increase the therapeutic armamentarium and possibly fill the gap of wAIHA relapsed after/refractory to rituximab. Moreover, these new target therapies may represent a tool for the unmet need of very acute cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Fattizzo
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
| | - Wilma Barcellini
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
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