Is Autoimmune Thrombocytopenia Itself the Primary Disease in the Presence of Second Diseases Data from a Long-Term Observation

The role of BAFF and BAFF-R inhibitors in the treatment of immune thrombocytopenia; a focused review

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune-driven disease characterized by increased destruction and impaired platelet production resulting in an enhanced risk of bleeding. Immunosuppressant agents are the most common treatment strategies for ITP. Despite their efficacy, these medications often cause unpredictable side effects. Recent investigations revealed that patients with ITP exhibit elevated B-cell activating factor (BAFF) levels in both their spleens and serum. Belimumab, a BAFF inhibitor, illustrated a promising therapeutic avenue for managing ITP by interfering with BAFF activity and long-lived plasma cell production. Both clinical and experimental studies have yielded positive outcomes when combining rituximab with an anti-BAFF monoclonal antibody in treating ITP. In addition, ianalumab, a monoclonal antibody with a dual mechanism that targets BAFF-R and deletes peripheral BAFF-R+ B cells, is currently being used for ITP treatment [NCT05885555]. The upcoming results from novel BAFF inhibitors, such as ianalumab, could offer clinicians an additional therapeutic option for treating ITP.

Platelet transfusion in adults: An update

Many patients worldwide receive platelet components (PCs) through the transfusion of diverse types of blood components. PC transfusions are essential for the treatment of central thrombocytopenia of diverse causes, and such treatment is beneficial in patients at risk of severe bleeding. PC transfusions account for almost 10% of all the blood components supplied by blood services, but they are associated with about 3.25 times as many severe reactions (attributable to transfusion) than red blood cell transfusions after stringent in-process leukoreduction to less than 10⁶ residual cells per blood component. PCs are not homogeneous, due to the considerable differences between donors. Furthermore, the modes of PC collection and preparation, the safety precautions taken to limit either the most common (allergic-type reactions and febrile non-hemolytic reactions) or the most severe (bacterial contamination, pulmonary lesions) adverse reactions, and storage and conservation methods can all result in so-called PC "storage lesions". Some storage lesions affect PC quality, with implications for patient outcome. Good transfusion practices should result in higher levels of platelet recovery and efficacy, and lower complication rates. These practices include a matching of tissue ABH antigens whenever possible, and of platelet HLA (and, to a lesser extent, HPA) antigens in immunization situations. This review provides an overview of all the available information relating to platelet transfusion, from donor and donation to bedside transfusion, and considers the impact of the measures applied to increase transfusion efficacy while improving safety and preventing transfusion inefficacy and refractoriness. It also considers alternatives to platelet component (PC) transfusion.

Platelets in ITP: Victims in Charge of Their Own Fate?

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune bleeding disorder. The pathophysiological mechanisms leading to low platelet levels in ITP have not been resolved, but at least involve autoantibody-dependent and/or cytotoxic T cell mediated platelet clearance and impaired megakaryopoiesis. In addition, T cell imbalances involving T regulatory cells (Tregs) also appear to play an important role. Intriguingly, over the past years it has become evident that platelets not only mediate hemostasis, but are able to modulate inflammatory and immunological processes upon activation. Platelets, therefore, might play an immuno-modulatory role in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of ITP. In this respect, we propose several possible pathways in which platelets themselves may participate in the immune response in ITP. First, we will elaborate on how platelets might directly promote inflammation or stimulate immune responses in ITP. Second, we will discuss two ways in which platelet microparticles (PMPs) might contribute to the disrupted immune balance and impaired thrombopoiesis by megakaryocytes in ITP. Importantly, from these insights, new starting points for further research and for the design of potential future therapies for ITP can be envisioned.

Misdiagnosed thrombocytopenia in children and adolescents: analysis of the Pediatric and Adult Registry on Chronic ITP

Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in children is a diagnosis of exclusion, but cases of secondary ITP and nonimmune thrombocytopenia (non-IT) are generally difficult to recognize in a timely fashion. We describe a pediatric population with a revised diagnosis of secondary ITP or non-IT within 24 months of follow-up. Data were extracted from the Pediatric and Adult Registry on Chronic ITP, an international multicenter registry collecting data prospectively in patients with newly diagnosed primary ITP. Between 2004 and 2019, a total of 3974 children aged 3 months to 16 years were included. Secondary ITP and non-IT were reported in 113 patients (63 female subjects). Infectious (n = 53) and autoimmune (n = 42) diseases were identified as the main causes, with median ages at diagnosis of 3.2 years (interquartile range: 1.2; 6.7 years) and 12.4 years (interquartile range: 7.6; 13.7 years), respectively. Other causes included malignancies, aplastic anemia, immunodeficiency, and drug use. Patients with malignancy and aplastic anemia had significantly higher initial platelet counts (37 and 52 × 109/L) than did those with infection or autoimmune diseases (12 and 13 × 109/L). Characteristics of patients with secondary ITP due to infection were similar to those of children with primary ITP at first presentation, indicating similar mechanisms. Significant differences were found for age, sex, comorbidities, initial bleeding, sustained need for treatment, and disease persistence for the remaining noninfectious group compared with primary ITP. Based on our findings, we propose a diagnostic algorithm that may serve as a basis for further discussion and prospective trials.

[Expectation of patients and caregivers about patient education for immune thrombocytopenia]

INTRODUCTION

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) durably affects quality of life in patients. Patient education aims at improving their self-care and psychosocial skills, allowing them be more autonomous, to prevent avoidable complications, and to maintain or improve quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess patients' and caregivers' expectations regarding patient education in ITP.

METHOD

ITP Patients and caregivers were asked about topics that should be addressed in a patient education program through a digital anonymous survey. Their responses were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. A double-blind keyword attribution of the answers was carried out by two physicians and then faced until consensus was found.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight ITP patients were included: 68% were less than 50 years old and 84% had chronic ITP. On the other hand, twenty-five caregivers were included. Caregivers raised more topics related to the cognitive domain than patients. The psychoaffective and motivational topics tended to be more represented in patients' responses. Only 53% of topics were mentioned by both patients and caregivers.

CONCLUSION

These discrepancies emphasize the differences between patients and caregivers' expectations regarding a patient education program in ITP, and thus the relevance of patient-caregiver co-construction of such programs.

Efficacy and tolerability of old and new drugs used in the treatment of immune thrombocytopenia: Results from a long-term observation in clinical practice

Background

Many patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) may require special attention and long-term treatment. Little is known on the efficacy and tolerability of the drugs used in practice.

Material and methods

We retrospectively reviewed the results of therapy of 400 patients with chronic ITP. All Patients were treated at our institution between 1996–2016 under consideration of guidelines, general recommendations, and individual aspects, including gender, age, weight, comorbidity, patient’s medical history and bleeding risk.

Results

Treatment was not required in 25% of patients (n = 100) during observation. In treated patients (n = 300), the rate of patients that responded and tolerated treatment with prednisolone was 59% (52/88), with azathioprine 32% (29/90), with eltrombopag 49% (31/63), with romiplostim 59% 27/45, with IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulines) 75% (94/126), with anti-D 37% (19/52) and with dexamethasone 60% (25/42) patients. Eighteen treated patients (6%) entered sustained remission after treatment with various drugs. Twenty-six patients underwent splenectomy (Splx) resulting in sustained remission in 15 cases (60%). Only two patients remained refractory to Splx and to all used drugs.

Discussion

None of the currently available drugs used in the treatment of ITP are invariably safe and effective. Responses, the duration of response, intolerability, and the course of disease are unpredictable. Although the treatment of ITP has considerably improved in the recent years, the currently available drugs may rarely cure affected patients. The need for safe and effective therapy in ITP is evident. Optimal treatment decisions for each patient remains a challenge in many cases.

A Case of Immune Thrombocytopenia as a Rare Side Effect of an Immunotherapy with PD1-Blocking Agents for Metastatic Melanoma

Background

Checkpoint blocking agents such as pembrolizumab or nivolumab may induce a diversity of mostly autoimmune-mediated side effects. These autoimmune phenomena mainly affect ductless glands such as the pituitary gland (hypophysitis), the thyroid gland (thyreoiditis), the skin (vitiligo and rash), the colon (colitis), and the lung (pneumonitis). Furthermore, many other organs or organ systems may be affected.

Case Report

This work describes a case of an immune thrombocytopenia that developed or rather became clinically significant shortly after initiation of a systemic therapy with first nivolumab and later pembrolizumab given due to metastatic melanoma. Platelet counts before this systemic therapy were slightly decreased with values around 110/nl (normal value 140-400/nl). Thrombocytopenia developed or became apparent rapidly within 10 days after the first intravenous application of nivolumab and worsened after changeover to pembrolizumab. Therapy had to be stopped due to disease progression and steady aggravation of thrombocytopenia. Immune hematology assays could prove an autoimmune mediated genesis of thrombocytopenia.

Conclusion

Checkpoint inhibitors may induce a multiplicity of mostly autoimmune-mediated side effects. In contrast to chemotherapy-induced cytopenia that results from bone marrow toxicity, thrombocytopenia in melanoma patients treated with checkpoint inhibiting substances seems to result from autoimmune-mediated side effects in the majority of the cases. Thorough laboratory controls during these therapies are therefore required. In case of thrombocytopenia, immune hematology testing to diagnose or rule out immune thrombocytopenia is indispensable.