Factors Associated with Mortality in Patients Experiencing First Episodes of Acquired Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (aTTP). Results of the Spanish TTP Registry

Introduction: Acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (aTTP) is a rare, but life-threatening, hematological disorder characterized by severe thrombocytopenia, hemolytic microangiopathic anemia, and frequent organ damage. The underlying pathophysiology of aTTP is a functional deficiency of plasma ADAMTS13 activity caused by antibodies directed against the ADAMTS13 protease. Despite plasma exchange (PEX) and immunosuppression with corticosteroids, and, more recently, rituximab, which achieve remission in most patients with aTTP, 10-20% of patients are refractory to treatment and die as a result of disease progression. Most of such deaths occur during first episodes of aTTP, as subsequent relapses tend to be milder. These patients would probably benefit from new therapies aimed at temporarily halting the microvascular thrombosis. This study was aimed at identifying predictive factors of mortality during a first episode of aTTP. Methods: We searched the Spanish TTP Registry (REPTT, Registro Español de la Purpura Trombocitopénica Trombótica) for patients with a clinical diagnosis of TTP (n = 345) with ADAMTS13 activity <10%, and anti-ADAMTS13 inhibitors in plasma (n = 143). Among these, we selected 103 patients with complete information on their first episode of aTTP. The patients were diagnosed between 2004 and 2018, and all were treated with daily PEX and corticosteroids. Additional treatments (rituximab, vincristine, etc.) were used at the discretion of the attending hematologist. Clinical and laboratory data of the episodes were analyzed at diagnosis and during the course of the treatment. The impact of refractoriness, exacerbations (as defined by the international consensus; DOI: 10.1111/jth.13571) and platelet transfusions on mortality was also studied. Results: The 103 patients examined suffered a total of 111 episodes of aTTP (103 with a first episode and 8 with a relapse). Eight deaths (7.7%) took place during an initial episode of aTTP and none during relapses. The time elapsed from the diagnosis to the events of death ranged from a few hours to 36 days (Figure). One patient died before starting the treatment. In the multivariate analysis, stupor or coma at diagnosis was the only clinical and biological factor associated with mortality, as 6 out of 18 patients with stupor or coma died vs. 2 out of 85 without these symptoms (OR: 21.95% CI: 4-114; p = 0.001). Persistently low platelet counts during PEX (i.e. refractoriness) were also strong predictors of subsequent mortality, with a platelet count <20 x109/L after 6 PEX procedures yielding the highest positive and negative values (Table). Exacerbation of aTTP while on treatment occurred in 44 of the 95 patients, all of whom eventually achieved remission with no events of death. Patients with exacerbations required a higher number of PEX procedures to achieve clinical remission (23, IQR: 19-31 vs. 12, IQR: 8-16; p <0.001) and were more likely to receive rituximab (39% vs. 9%; p = 0.001). Platelets were transfused into 16 patients, including 2 patients who died a few days later and 14 survivors. Conclusions: Stupor or coma at diagnosis and lack of response to PEX by the 6th-7th day in patients experiencing first episodes of aTTP are strong predictors of mortality. These patients are candidates for new treatments aimed at controlling the microvascular thrombotic phenomena until effective immunosuppression is achieved. Disease exacerbation does not seem to increase mortality but requires a more intensive treatment. Disclosures De La Rubia: Celgene Corporation: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy; AMGEN: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy. Pascual Izquierdo:Novartis: Consultancy; Sanofi: Consultancy.

Download Full-text

Rituximab as pre-emptive treatment in patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and evidence of anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1160/th07-12-0753 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 101 (02) ◽

pp. 233-238 ◽

Cited By ~ 62

Author(s):

Sara Gastoldi ◽

Erica Daina ◽

Daniela Belotti ◽

Enrico Pogliani ◽

Paolo Perseghin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽

Therapeutic Option ◽

Severe Disease ◽

Renal Involvement ◽

First Episode ◽

High Morbidity ◽

Sustained Remission ◽

Adamts13 Activity ◽

Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽

Haemolytic Anemia

SummaryThrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare and severe disease characterized by thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic haemolytic anemia, neurological and renal involvement associated with deficiency of the von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease, ADAMTS13. Persistence of high titers of anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies predisposes to relapsing TTP. Since relapses are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, the optimal therapeutic option should be a pre-emptive treatment able to deplete anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies and avoid relapses. Five patients who presented with persistence of undetectable ADAMTS13 activity and high titers of autoantibodies, were treated with rituximab as pre-emptive therapy during remission. Four of them were affected by relapsing TTP and one was treated after the first episode. ADAMTS13 activity ranging from 15% to 75% with disappearance of inhibitors was achieved after three months in all patients, and persisted >20% without inhibitors at six months. In three patients disease-free status is still ongoing after 29, 24 and six months, respectively. Relapses were documented in two patients during follow-up: in one patient remission lasted 51 months; while in the other patient relapse occurred after 13 months. Results demonstrated that rituximab used as pre-emptive treatment may be effective in maintaining a sustained remission in patients with anti-ADAMTS13 antibodies in whom other treatments failed to limit the production of inhibitors, and suggests that re-treatment with rituximab should be considered when ADAMTS13 activity decreases and inhibitors reappear into the circulation, to avoid a new relapse.

Download Full-text

Exome Sequencing Identifies Glycosylation Defects As a Probable Cause of Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2019-131511 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 217-217

Author(s):

Felipe Massicano ◽

Elizabeth M. Staley ◽

Konstantine Halkidis ◽

Nicole K. Kocher ◽

Lance A. Williams ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Exome Sequencing ◽

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽

Potential Contribution ◽

Severe Thrombocytopenia ◽

Adamts13 Activity ◽

Genomic Alterations ◽

Autoantibody Production ◽

Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽

Long Term Outcome ◽

Clinical Presentations

Background: Immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP) is a potentially fatal syndrome, resulting primarily from autoantibodies against ADAMTS13. However, the mechanism underlying the autoantibody formation and the contribution of other genomic alterations to the pathogenesis of iTTP are largely unknown. Methods: Whole exome sequencing (WES) and bioinformatic analyses were performed to determine the genetic variations in 40 patients with iTTP who had ADAMTS13 activity <10 IU/dL and a positive inhibitor or an elevated anti-ADAMTS13 IgG in concordance with clinical presentations of severe thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia with various degrees of organ injury. WES was also performed at the same time in fifteen age-, gender-, and ethnicity- matched individuals who did not have a history of iTTP or other hematological disorders as controls. Results: WES identified variants or mutations in the genes involving in glycosylation, including O-linked glycosylation, to be the major pathway affected in patients with iTTP. We propose that the altered glycosylation may be responsible for the development of autoantibodies against ADAMTS13 which impair the proteolytic cleavage of von Willebrand factor, accelerate the clearance of ADAMTS13 from circulation, and result in severe thrombocytopenia platelets in patients with iTTP. We also identified defects in ankyrin repeat containing protein ANKRD36C, a protein with hitherto unknown function, as the most statistically significant genomic alterations associated with iTTP (p < 10-5). Moreover, candidate gene analysis revealed that various genes involving in hemostasis, complement activation, platelet function and signaling pathway, and inflammation were all affected in patients with iTTP, which may contribute to the onset, progress, severity, and long-term outcome of iTTP. Finally, we also identified two patient subgroups where the disease mechanism might be different. Conclusion: Our findings provide novel insight into the pathogenic mechanism underlying ADAMTS13 autoantibody production and the potential contribution of other genetic abnormalities in modifying the iTTP clinical presentations in the individuals with severe deficiency of plasma ADAMTS13 activity. Disclosures Zheng: Alexion: Speakers Bureau; Ablynx/Sanofi: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Shire/Takeda: Research Funding; Clotsolution: Other: Co-Founder.

Download Full-text

Identification of ADAMTS13 Peptide Sequences Recognized by Autoantibodies in Patients with Acquired Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v112.11.2286.2286 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 112 (11) ◽

pp. 2286-2286

Author(s):

Yusuke Yamaguchi ◽

Takanori Moriki ◽

Hideo Wada ◽

Masanori Matsumoto ◽

Yoshihiro Fujimura ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽

Peptide Sequence ◽

Adamts13 Activity ◽

Lambda Phage ◽

Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽

C Terminus ◽

Epitope Sequence ◽

Von Willebrand ◽

The Impact ◽

Inhibitor Titer

Abstract Anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies are considered to play pivotal roles in the pathophysiology of acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). They inhibit the ADAMTS13 function resulting in the appearance of ultra-large von Willebrand factor (VWF) multimers. Major binding sites of the autoantibodies were reported to be in the cysteine-rich/spacer domains. To clarify the precise peptide sequences recognized by anti-ADAMTS13 IgG autoantibodies, we constructed a random cDNA fragment library expressing various peptides of ADAMTS13 on the surface of lambda phage and screened the library using purified IgG from 13 TTP patients. Diverse peptide sequences were obtained from almost entire ADAMTS13 domains such as metalloprotease, disintegrin, TSP1-1, cysteine-rich, spacer, TSP1- 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 and CUB1. In particular, we detected an identical 26 amino-acid epitope sequence in the C-terminus of spacer domain from Gly662 to Val687 (sp662–687) shared by 5 TTP patients. Moreover, the peptide sequence was exactly included in one of the VWF binding epitope sites that we previously determined (Blood110 (11), 795a, 2007). We then assessed the impact of specific autoantibody to ADAMTS13 activity measured by FRETS-VWF73 or EIA and ADAMTS13 inhibitor titer in each of TTP patient plasma. However, both of the ADAMTS13 activity and inhibitor titer seemed not correlated with the existence of specific sp662–687 IgG autoantibody. These observations suggest that the autoantibody to sp662–687 may be one specific feature of TTP, although other epitopes are also involved in the pathogenesis of the disorder.

Download Full-text

Retrospective Analysis of Patients Afflicted with Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura: A Single Institutional Experience.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v120.21.2200.2200 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 120 (21) ◽

pp. 2200-2200

Author(s):

Manali K. Kamdar ◽

Phillip Chae ◽

Maria Javaid ◽

Negin Mesaghian ◽

Kevin O'Brien ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Retrospective Analysis ◽

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽

Blood Group ◽

Conflicts Of Interest ◽

Severe Thrombocytopenia ◽

Adamts13 Activity ◽

Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽

Congenital Deficiency ◽

Predominant Symptom ◽

Threatening Condition

Abstract Abstract 2200 Introduction: Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) is an acute life threatening condition characterized by thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, with or without renal failure or neurologic abnormalities, and without another cause for thrombotic microangiopathy. The majority of cases of TTP are associated with a low ADAMTS13 activity which results from antibody to this enzyme. A minority of patients have TTP secondary to congenital deficiency of this enzyme. The mainstay of therapy for TTP is plasmapheresis (PEX) which has increased survival in affected patients from 10% to more than 75%. While TTP is considered as an uncommon disorder, at our institution we suspected that the diagnosis was made more commonly. Therefore we set out to perform a retrospective analysis of cases of TTP to evaluate cases diagnosed over the past 10 years. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of all cases of microangiopathy undergoing pheresis at our institution for presumed TTP from May 2007 to April 2012. A total of 112 patients had PEX initiated for presumed TTP however 11 of these were later determined to have some other etiology causing the constellation of symptoms and PEX was discontinued. The remaining 101 patients were entered into a database and further analyzed. Demographically, we captured patients from 30 of the 100 North Carolina counties because 3 other institutions in our state perform plasma exchange for TTP. ADAMTS13 activity and inhibitor levels were measured in 69 out of 101 patients. In our registry there were 80 patients with Idiopathic TTP and 21 patients with secondary TTP. Patients with idiopathic TTP were further divided based on the ADAMTS13 activity. Results: Discussion: Our analysis demonstrated that TTP was more common in females, African American population with a median age group in the mid forties with neurological symptoms being the predominant symptom of presentation. While hematocrit was higher in patients with idiopathic TTP these patients were noted to have increased incidence of ADAMTS13 levels less than 10% with inhibitors as compared to those with secondary TTP. Idiopathic TTP patients had more incidence of multiple relapses and required more Rituximab in addition to PEX. We compared our results with the results published from the Oklahoma registry. Similar to the Oklahoma registry results patients with ADAMTS13 levels less than 10% had more severe thrombocytopenia, renal dysfunction, required more sessions of PEX, had higher relapses and percentage of death compared to patients with idiopathic TTP with ADAMTS13 levels more than 10%. Patients with ADAMTS13 less than 10% required more Rituximab during first diagnosis of idiopathic TTP. In this group blood group A+ was seen more often whereas blood group O+ was prevalent in the group with ADAMTS more than 10%. Comparison amidst these groups brought out similarities between two distinct registries in the US. Our registry is another large registry of patients similar to the Oklahoma TTP registry. While many similarities are seen with the Oklahoma group there were a few differences as cited above. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Download Full-text

Case Report: Two Cases of Pediatric Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Treated With Combined Therapy

Frontiers in Pediatrics ◽

10.3389/fped.2021.743206 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Costanza Tripiciano ◽

Paola Zangari ◽

Mauro Montanari ◽

Giovanna Leone ◽

Laura Massella ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Platelet Count ◽

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽

Combined Therapy ◽

Laboratory Data ◽

Adamts13 Activity ◽

Laboratory Findings ◽

Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽

Life Threatening ◽

Successful Clinical Outcome ◽

Von Willebrand

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a thrombotic microangiopathy caused by a severely reduced activity of the von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease ADAMTS13. Over 95% of TTPs are acquired, due to autoantibody inhibitors. In children, acquired TTP is a very rare, life-threatening disease. To date, no consensus exists on the treatment strategy of pediatric TTP. We report the cases of two pediatric patients with a diagnosis of TTP, successfully treated with a combination of various therapeutic approaches. Although the patients complained of different sets of symptoms, laboratory data showed Coombs negative hemolytic anemia, renal impairment, and low platelet count in both cases. The diagnosis of acquired TTP was supported by the PLASMIC score and confirmed by the reduction of the ADAMTS13 activity and the presence of anti-ADAMTS13 antibodies. Intravenous immunoglobulin, corticosteroids, and plasma exchange (PEX) were performed without delay. As soon as available, caplacizumab was added to the therapy, with a prompt normalization of platelet count. Nevertheless, ADAMTS13 activity was persistently low, and anti-ADAMTS13 antibodies level was high; thus, a course of rituximab was administered, with persistent normalization of laboratory findings. No adverse events were observed during the treatment. In our experience, the combined use of PEX, caplacizumab, and immunosuppressive therapy during the acute phase of the disease is safe and may have a significant impact on the prognosis with successful clinical outcome and decrease in life-threatening events.

Download Full-text

Complement Activation May Trigger the Onset of Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura in Patients with Severe ADAMTS13 Deficiency

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v124.21.600.600 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 124 (21) ◽

pp. 600-600 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Xiao-Hui Hu ◽

Jialing Bao ◽

Yoshiyasu Ueda ◽

Takashi Miwa ◽

Wenchao Song ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽

Complement Activation ◽

Factor H ◽

Severe Thrombocytopenia ◽

Complement Factor ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Adamts13 Activity ◽

Activation Markers ◽

Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽

Adamts13 Deficiency

Abstract Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), a potential fatal syndrome, is often associated with severe deficiency of plasma ADAMTS13 activity, either resulting from ADAMTS13 mutations or acquired anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies that inhibit plasma ADAMTS13 activity. Patients with severe ADAMTS13 do not always have TTP signs and symptoms, which often occur following infections or inflammatory responses. The mechanism of TTP flare is not fully understood. In the present study, complement activation markers (iC3b, C5b, Bb, and C4b) were determined by enzyme-linked absorbent assays (ELISA) in the initial plasmas (prior to plasma exchange) of 20 patients with acquired TTP with severe ADAMTS13 deficiency (less than 20% of normal) and plasmas from 20 healthy controls. Of 20 TTP patients, 19 exhibited positive inhibitor in the 50:50 mixing study. Plasma levels of iC3b (1,000 ± 1,062 ng/ml), sC5b-9 (1,342±867 ng/ml), and Bb (38.2±47.7 ng/ml), as well as C4b (74.3±49.5 ng/ml) in acquired TTP patients were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (p value less than 0.01) These results indicate that complement activation in both classic and alternative pathways is a common phenomenon in patients with acquired autoimmune TTP. To demonstrate the causative effect of complement activation in TTP, we turned to our Adamts13 null mice. C57BL/6 (Adamts13-/-) mice are resistant to the development of spontaneous and Shigatoxin-induced TTP syndrome. When injected with a murine specific monoclonal antibody against complement factor H (CFH) (800 micro grams/mouse), which inhibits binding of circulating CFH to endothelial cells and C3b, Adamts13-/- mice (C57BL/6) developed more severe thrombocytopenia and anemia than wild type mice did within 6 days without additional challenge. However, renal insufficiency manifested by the increase of plasma BUN concentration was similar in both groups (Fig. 1). These results indicate that complement activation through an alternative pathway, following antibody-mediated inhibition of CFH or other complement regulatory components, may trigger the onset of TTP in light of severe ADAMTS13 deficiency. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Download Full-text

Clinical and Outcomes Findings for Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura among 467 Persons with Severely Versus Not Severely Deficient ADAMTS-13 Levels.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v110.11.2088.2088 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 110 (11) ◽

pp. 2088-2088 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Charles L. Bennett ◽

Thanh Ha Luu ◽

Anaadriana Zakarija ◽

Hau C. Kwaan ◽

Nicholas Bandarenko ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽

Neutralizing Antibodies ◽

Clinical Laboratory ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Outcome Data ◽

Severe Thrombocytopenia ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Adamts13 Activity ◽

Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽

Adamts13 Deficiency

Abstract Background: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare disorder that presents with microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia, fevers, renal insufficiency and neurologic features. We reviewed clinical, laboratory, and outcome data for TTP cases with severely deficient versus non-severely deficient ADAMTS13 activity levels. Methods: Mean and median data were from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and Risk Factors for TTP (SERF-TTP) study group for idiopathic TTP cases, the Canadian Apheresis Group (CAG), and five published series (Zheng 2004, Raife 2004, Vesely 2003 (Oklahoma TTP-HUS Registry), Matsumoto 2004 (Japan Referral Center), Bennett 2007). Results: Compared to TTP cases with near-normal ADAMTS13 activity levels (n= 282), TTP cases with severe ADAMTS13-deficiency (n=185) were more likely to have severe thrombocytopenia, normal renal function and neutralizing ADAMTS13 antibodies. Severe ADAMTS13 deficient TTP cases have better overall survival after therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) but are more likely to relapse. TTP patients with severe ADAMTS13 deficiency were primarily categorized as idiopathic or ticlopidine-associated, while TTP patients with non-severely deficient ADAMTS13 activity levels were frequently categorized as idiopathic, secondary to drugs (clopidogrel, quinine), stem cell transplantation, or cancer. Conclusions: Severe ADAMTS13 deficiency is most commonly idiopathic, has better survival following TPE, and a 35–40% spontaneous relapse rate. By contrast, non-ADAMTS13 deficient TTP cases are usually associated with an underlying disorder or external insults. Amongst this cohort, four series have 47–62% survival rates and three series, which contain mostly idiopathic cases, have 83–90% survival rates following TPE. From this, we propose that TTP may occur by three possible mechanism; ADAMTS13-deficient (antibody-mediated), an immunologic mediated pathway independent of ADAMTS13 (i.e. quinine) that is responsive to TPE, and endothelial injury related TTP that is unresponsive to TPE. Platelet count mean (x10^9/L) Creatinine mean (mg/dl) ADAMTS13 neutralizing antibodies (%) Survival % Relapse % * <15% ADAMTS13 activity cutoff Severe ADAMTS13 Deficiency (<10–15%) SERF-TTP (n=30) 19 1.3 83 97 41 Zheng (n=16) 19 1.6 44 81 38 Bennett (n=26) 15 85 Oklahoma (n=18) 12 1.8 94 81 38 Raife (n=50) * 13 1.2 92 35 Japan (n=34) 35 91 Canada (n=11) 16 2.4 82 Not Severely Deficient ADAMTS13 Activity (> 15%) SERF-TTP (n=22) 57 3.9 35 90 0 Raife (n=57) * 44 2.7 83 9 Canada (n=17) 57 4.1 88 Zheng (n=13) 40 3.0 0 54 Bennett (n=13) 62 Japan (n=66) 9 62 Oklahoma (n=94 ) 23 47 3

Download Full-text

The remarkable diversity of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: a perspective

Blood Advances ◽

10.1182/bloodadvances.2018018432 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2 (12) ◽

pp. 1510-1516 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

James N. George

Keyword(s):

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽

Immunosuppressive Treatment ◽

Severe Thrombocytopenia ◽

Adamts13 Activity ◽

Long Term Outcomes ◽

Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽

Adamts13 Deficiency ◽

Few Data ◽

Autoimmune Etiology

Abstract Understanding the autoimmune etiology of acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) has provided precision for the diagnosis and a rationale for immunosuppressive treatment. These advances have also allowed recognition of the remarkable clinical diversities of patients’ initial presentations and their long-term outcomes. These diversities are illustrated by the stories of patients from the Oklahoma TTP Registry. The initial presentation of TTP may be the discovery of unexpected severe thrombocytopenia in a patient with minimal or no symptoms. The patient may remain asymptomatic throughout treatment or may die suddenly before treatment can be started. ADAMTS13 activity may be reported as normal in a patient with characteristic clinical features of TTP, or the unexpected report of ADAMTS13 deficiency in a patient with another established disorder may lead to the discovery of TTP. ADAMTS13 activity during clinical remission is unpredictable. ADAMTS13 activity may recover and remain normal, it may remain severely deficient for many years, or it may become normal only many years after recovery. Our treatment of initial episodes and management of patients after recovery and during remission continue to change. The addition of rituximab to the treatment of acute episodes and preemptive rituximab for patients with severe ADAMTS13 deficiency during remission are reported to prevent relapse. Because TTP is uncommon, there are few data to guide these changes. Therefore our patients’ stories are profoundly influential. Their stories are the foundation of our experience, and our experience is the guide for our decisions.

Download Full-text

Focus on Key Issues in Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura: Italian Experience of Six Centers

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10235702 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (23) ◽

pp. 5702

Author(s):

Giovanni Tiscia ◽

Maria Teresa Sartori ◽

Gaetano Giuffrida ◽

Angelo Ostuni ◽

Nicola Cascavilla ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽

Laboratory Data ◽

Diagnostic Delay ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Clinical Information ◽

Blood Parameters ◽

First Episode ◽

Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽

Italian Experience ◽

Immune Mediated

Immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is a rare and challenging hematological disease caused by the antibody anti-ADAMTS13. Though the mortality rate has decreased considerably in recent years, fatalities still remain unacceptable. This study aimed at further adding to the existing knowledge of this medical challenge. We enrolled 89 consecutive patients observed in six Italian centers (from 8 August 2013 to 28 May 2021) with a diagnosis of immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Clinical information and blood parameters were collected for all patients. We describe clinical manifestations and laboratory data, possible risk factors and the therapeutic management of first episodes or relapses. A total of 74 first episodes and 19 relapses (median 3 years (interquartile range (IQR): 2–7)) were recorded. Seventy percent of patients enrolled at the first episode showed neurological signs and/or symptoms. All the patients enrolled at the first episode were treated with plasma exchange (median = 12; IQR: 8–19.5) and methylprednisolone (1 mg/kg/day). Rituximab (375 mg/m2 weekly for four weeks) and caplacizumab were given to 15 (20.2%) and 2 patients (2.6%), respectively. We observed an overall mortality of 5.4% in the follow-up (median 60 months; IQR: 36.0–103.5). All fatalities occurred after a diagnostic delay. Present data point to the importance of the early detection of factors mostly associated with poor outcomes. It is likely that use of caplacizumab could improve the prognosis in those patients.

Download Full-text

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura At the Cleveland Clinic 2000–2012: Review of 100 Cases and Identification of Prognostic Factors

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v120.21.3325.3325 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 120 (21) ◽

pp. 3325-3325

Author(s):

Shruti Chaturvedi ◽

Desiree Carcioppolo ◽

Li Zhang ◽

Keith R. McCrae

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

High Risk ◽

Plasma Exchange ◽

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽

Cleveland Clinic ◽

Neurological Symptoms ◽

First Episode ◽

Refractory Disease ◽

Adamts13 Activity ◽

Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Abstract Abstract 3325 BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The advent of plasma exchange has led to a dramatic improvement in the survival of patients with Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP). However 10–20% of patients do not respond to plasma exchange and up to a third suffer relapses. Recent studies suggest that Rituximab as an adjunct to plasma exchange and corticosteroids may be effective in refractory or relapsing disease, although clinical factors that identify patients at high risk for poor outcomes have not been clearly defined. This concern prompted a retrospective review of all patients with TTP treated at the Cleveland Clinic over the last 12 years in an attempt to identify factors associated with poor prognosis. Records from all patients were reviewed from the date of initial presentation until at least two years afterwards to determine the incidence of refractory disease and relapse. STUDY AND METHODS: A total of 284 patients who were diagnosed with a first episode of thrombotic microangiopathy at the Cleveland Clinic from January 2000 to March 2012 were identified. Records from these patients were reviewed and individuals with other explanations for thrombocytopenia and hemolytic anemia such as DIC, hypertensive crisis or HELLP were excluded. One hundred patients were included in the final analysis. Fischer exact test and t- test were used to compare variables. A p value of <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Of the 100 patients with TTP, 73% were female, with an age range of 16 to 79 years (median 49 years). Fifty percent of patients were Caucasian, 45% African American and 2% Hispanic. Sixty seven percent of cases occurred without predisposing conditions while 12% were associated with autoimmune disease (6 with SLE, 2 with rheumatoid arthritis, one with SLE and rheumatoid arthritis, and one each with Sjogren's syndrome, dermatomyositis and mixed connective tissue disorder), 8% with pregnancy or the postpartum state, 6% each with cancer and solid organ transplantation and 2% each with bone marrow and stem cell transplant. ADAMTS13 activity was tested in 57% of cases of which 36 (63%) had <5% and 21 (37%) had 8% to 56% activity, respectively. All patients were treated with plasma exchange, and all but 17 received corticosteroids, while some received additional therapies including vincristine (10), rituximab (15) and splenectomy (7) for refractory disease. Mortality after a first episode of TTP was 8%, while 13% of patients had exacerbations (within 30 days) and 18% had relapses (11 patients had a single relapse, 6 patients had 2 relapses and 1 had three relapses). Non survivors were older (p=0.042) with this association particularly striking for patients greater than age 60 (OR 8.75, 95% CI 2.32–33.01, p=0.002). Non-survivors also presented more frequently with severe neurological symptoms including obtundation, focal deficits and seizures (p=0.001). A higher LDH level after 1 or 2 cycles of plasma exchange, i.e. LDH on day 3, 4 or 5 of admission was also strongly associated with mortality (p<0.01) as well as with prolonged duration of plasma exchange. ADAMTS13 activity and levels of inhibitory anti-ADAMTS13 antibodies were comparable between survivors and non-survivors. However, undetectable ADAMTS13 levels were associated with a lower incidence of adverse renal outcomes including need for dialysis during the acute episode (p=0.007) and the development of chronic kidney disease (p=0.033) and/or end stage renal disease at 2 years (p=0.015). CONCLUSION: The most significant independent variables predicting death in TTP were increasing age, especially age>60, severe neurological symptoms at presentation and a persistently high LDH level the second day after diagnosis and initiation of plasma exchange. These variables could be used to identify patients who would benefit from close monitoring and potentially from early institution of adjunctive therapy. Treatment of high risk patients in this manner could limit the duration of plasma exchange, improve outcomes, and decrease associated morbidity and costs. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Download Full-text