scholarly journals Maintenance treatment of adults with chronic refractory immune thrombocytopenic purpura using repeated intravenous infusions of gammaglobulin [see comments]

Blood ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-127
Author(s):  
JB Bussel ◽  
LC Pham ◽  
L Aledort ◽  
R Nachman
Keyword(s):  
Platelet Count ◽  
Maintenance Therapy ◽  
Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Intravenous Infusion ◽  
Conventional Therapy ◽  
Maintenance Treatment ◽  
Immunosuppressive Agents ◽  
Initial Therapy ◽  
Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Average Quantity

Intravenous infusion of gammaglobulin (IVGG) has been extensively used in the treatment of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in adults to acutely raise the platelet count but not as a maintenance therapy. This report describes the maintenance treatment of adults with chronic ITP using repeated infusions of 800 to 1,000 mg/kg of IVGG. Sixteen of 40 patients were able to discontinue all therapy after receiving between one and 15 infusions. Five patients achieved remission and 11 other patients became stable without therapy (SWT) maintaining a platelet count greater than 20,000/microL without bleeding. The average quantity of gammaglobulin received for all patients was 606 g per patient. Of the 30 patients who underwent but did not respond to splenectomy, 11 (37%) were able to discontinue all therapy by either achieving remission (5) or becoming SWT (6). None of the five patients who achieved remission did so after only the initial therapy; all first received between one and 12 maintenance infusions. The ten splenectomized patients who were unresponsive to IVGG also failed to subsequently respond to conventional therapy including immunosuppressive agents and androgens. No toxicity of IVGG was seen except for postinfusion headaches. IVGG is an effective although expensive maintenance therapy for adults with ITP and is useful in patients who have not responded to splenectomy.

scholarly journals Maintenance treatment of adults with chronic refractory immune thrombocytopenic purpura using repeated intravenous infusions of gammaglobulin [see comments]

Blood ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
JB Bussel ◽  
LC Pham ◽  
L Aledort ◽  
R Nachman
Keyword(s):  
Platelet Count ◽  
Maintenance Therapy ◽  
Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Intravenous Infusion ◽  
Conventional Therapy ◽  
Maintenance Treatment ◽  
Immunosuppressive Agents ◽  
Initial Therapy ◽  
Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Average Quantity

Abstract Intravenous infusion of gammaglobulin (IVGG) has been extensively used in the treatment of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in adults to acutely raise the platelet count but not as a maintenance therapy. This report describes the maintenance treatment of adults with chronic ITP using repeated infusions of 800 to 1,000 mg/kg of IVGG. Sixteen of 40 patients were able to discontinue all therapy after receiving between one and 15 infusions. Five patients achieved remission and 11 other patients became stable without therapy (SWT) maintaining a platelet count greater than 20,000/microL without bleeding. The average quantity of gammaglobulin received for all patients was 606 g per patient. Of the 30 patients who underwent but did not respond to splenectomy, 11 (37%) were able to discontinue all therapy by either achieving remission (5) or becoming SWT (6). None of the five patients who achieved remission did so after only the initial therapy; all first received between one and 12 maintenance infusions. The ten splenectomized patients who were unresponsive to IVGG also failed to subsequently respond to conventional therapy including immunosuppressive agents and androgens. No toxicity of IVGG was seen except for postinfusion headaches. IVGG is an effective although expensive maintenance therapy for adults with ITP and is useful in patients who have not responded to splenectomy.

Treatment Patterns and Splenectomy Failure Rates in Patients with Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura in Canada: A Retrospective Chart Review

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 4565-4565
Author(s):  
Joseph Mikhael ◽  
Alan Tinmouth ◽  
Tazmin Merali ◽  
Mo Amin ◽  
Wendy Lam
Keyword(s):  
Platelet Count ◽  
Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Chart Review ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Initial Therapy ◽  
Second Line ◽  
First Line ◽  
Bleeding Events ◽  
Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Line Therapy

Abstract Background: In clinical practice there is little consensus on treating patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) beyond first line therapy with steroids. Objectives: Describe the demographic and disease characteristics of adult ITP patients who receive treatment; Obtain the treatment approach for patients with ITP beyond first line treatment with steroids, with an emphasis on splenectomy; and Evaluate adverse bleeding outcomes associated with ITP. Methods: A retrospective chart review of ITP patients after initial therapy with steroids was conducted. Ten physicians (oncologists and hematologists) were recruited from across Canada and each physician provided at least 5 ITP cases for review. A total of 51 cases were reviewed and patients (> 18 years old) were required to have had more than 1 course of steroids as treatment to be eligible. Results: The average age of patients at diagnosis was 42 (range 3 to 82 years); 37 (73%) of the patients were female, and 37 (73%) were Caucasian. The median platelet count upon presentation was 5×109/L. Median lines of therapy after initial therapy was 3 (range 0 to 6). Second line therapies varied, but most commonly patients underwent splenectomy (43%), followed by continued steroid treatment (16%), steroids plus IV Ig (16%), IV Ig alone (14%), immunosuppressant alone (2%), and anti-D plus steroids (2%). Of the patients reviewed, 40 (78%) eventually underwent splenectomy. Of the 40 splenectomized patients, 27 were splenectomized within the first year of diagnosis and 35 underwent splenectomy during the first 5 years. In addition, 62 of the splenectomies were laparoscopic, and the median hospital stay for all procedures was 5 days (range 1 to 60 days). Immediate failure of splenectomy occurred in 18% of patients, and the one- and five- year relapse/failure rates (defined as platelet count < 30×109/L) were 38% and 55%, respectively. Other therapies following splenectomy included IV Ig, azathioprine, cyclosporine, danazol, mycophenolate, rituximab, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, and anti-D. Only 6% of IV Ig use was for chronic maintenance therapy and 74% of use was for urgent therapy. A total of 61 bleeding events occurred, of which 10 were major (upper GI, mouth, rectal, and nose). Major bleeding events required hospitalization of the patient with an average length of stay of 5 days (range 2 to 14 days). Conclusions: Notwithstanding several limitations, the retrospective chart review suggests that there is wide variation in long-term therapy for patients with chronic ITP in Canada. Splenectomy was the most widely used second line therapy, although 18% of the patients were non-responders and the five-year relapse/failure rate was 55%.

Does treatment with intermittent infusions of intravenous anti-D allow a proportion of adults with recently diagnosed immune thrombocytopenic purpura to avoid splenectomy?

Blood ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 99 (6) ◽  
pp. 1922-1927 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nichola Cooper ◽  
B. Michael R. Woloski ◽  
Erin M. Fodero ◽  
Maria Novoa ◽  
Melissa Leber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Platelet Count ◽  
Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Maintenance Treatment ◽  
Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Platelet Counts ◽  
L 14 ◽  
Lost To Follow Up ◽  
Primary Predictor ◽  
All Treatment

Abstract This study explored whether repeated infusions of intravenous anti-D could allow adults with recently diagnosed immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) who had failed an initial steroid course to postpone and ultimately avoid splenectomy. Twenty-eight Rh+, nonsplenectomized adults with ITP diagnosed within 1 to 11 months and platelet counts 30 × 109/L (30 000/μL) or below were enrolled. Anti-D was infused whenever the platelet count decreased to 30 × 109/L (30 000/μL) or below. “Response” was defined as a platelet increase of more than 20 × 109/L (20 000/μL) to more than 30 × 109/L (30 000/μL) within 7 days of treatment. Patients were a median 3.5 months from ITP diagnosis at enrollment and had received a median of 2 previous therapies, including prednisone in 26 of 28 cases. They were followed for a median 26 months. A total of 93% responded to their initial infusion of anti-D, and 68% repeatedly responded with counts maintained above 30 × 109/L (30 000/μL) using anti-D alone. Currently, 12 (43%) of 28 patients have been off all treatment for more than 6 months without undergoing splenectomy, 6 maintaining counts above 100 × 109/L (100 000/μL). Seven continue on treatment, 8 underwent splenectomy, and 1 was lost to follow-up at 10 months. One patient discontinued anti-D because of toxicity. Patients with platelet counts at least 14 × 109/L (14 000/μL) at enrollment were more likely to discontinue treatment (P < .05). Anti-D was an effective maintenance treatment for two thirds of Rh+, nonsplenectomized adults with ITP who had failed an initial steroid course. Intermittent infusions of intravenous anti-D allowed more than 40% of these adults to avoid splenectomy and to achieve stable platelet counts off all therapy, even after many months of treatment. Platelet count at study entry was the primary predictor of outcome.

scholarly journals Metastatic Breast Cancer with Extensive Osseous Metastasis Presenting with Symptomatic Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura and Anemia: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 256-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiaxin Niu ◽  
Teresa Goldin ◽  
Maurie Markman ◽  
Madappa N. Kundranda
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Platelet Count ◽  
Metastatic Breast Cancer ◽  
Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
English Literature ◽  
Metastatic Breast ◽  
Response To Therapy ◽  
Severe Thrombocytopenia ◽  
Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Immune Mediated

Background: Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a rare acquired bleeding disorder with an estimated incidence of 1 in 10,000 people in the general population. The association of ITP with breast cancer is an even rarer entity with very limited reports in the English literature. Case Presentation: We report a case of a 51-year-old female with no significant past medical history who presented with sudden onset of malaise, syncope, gingival bleed and epistaxis. She was found to have severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count 6,000/μl) and anemia (hemoglobin 7.2 g/dl). Her workup led to the diagnosis of metastatic ductal breast cancer with extensive bone metastasis. Bone marrow biopsy demonstrated myelophthisis which was initially thought to be consistent with her presentation of thrombocytopenia and anemia. Therefore, the patient was started on hormonal therapy for the treatment of her metastatic breast cancer. After 3 months of therapy, she did not improve and developed severe mucosal bleeding. Her clinical presentation was suspicious for ITP and immune-mediated anemia, and hence she was started on steroids and intravenous immunoglobulin. The patient had a dramatic response to therapy with normalization of her platelet count and hemoglobin within 2 weeks. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of metastatic breast cancer presenting with symptomatic ITP and anemia, and both symptoms are postulated to be immune-mediated.

scholarly journals Anti-RH immunoglobulin therapy for human immunodeficiency virus-related immune thrombocytopenic purpura

Blood ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 71 (5) ◽  
pp. 1499-1502 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Oksenhendler ◽  
P Bierling ◽  
Y Brossard ◽  
C Schenmetzler ◽  
PM Girard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Platelet Count ◽  
Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Specific Interaction ◽  
Immunoglobulin Therapy ◽  
Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus

Abstract The potential hazards of steroids in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)- infected patients led us to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of anti-D and anti-c Ig in 17 adults with severe HIV-related immune thrombocytopenic purpura (platelet count less than 20 x 10(9)/L). The 14 Rh+ patients received 12 to 25 micrograms/kg of anti-D IgG intravenously on two consecutive days. A significant platelet rise above 50 x 10(9)/L was obtained in nine patients. Repeated boosters were performed in six cases and were effective in all cases. The 3 Rh- patients had a good response after they were given 20 mL x 2 of plasma containing potent anti-c antibodies. Therapy was well tolerated, and only one patient had significant hemolysis. These data suggest that anti-Rh IgG can be effective and safe in HIV-related thrombocytopenic purpura and that a specific interaction between the RBC antigens and the anti-Rh antibodies is required.

scholarly journals Quantitation of platelet-associated IgG by radial immunodiffusion

Blood ◽  
1981 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 809-811 ◽  
Author(s):  
BS Morse ◽  
D Giuliani ◽  
M Nussbaum
Keyword(s):  
Platelet Count ◽  
Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Radial Immunodiffusion ◽  
Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Platelet Counts ◽  
Normal Platelet ◽  
Serum Igg ◽  
Acute Itp ◽  
Igg Level

Abstract Platelet-associated IgG (PAIgG) was measured by a simple radial immunodiffusion technique using washed solubilized platelets and commercially available immunoplates. Subjects with normal platelet counts had PAIgG levels of 1.5--7.0 fg/platelet. Subjects with idiopathic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) had levels ranging from 5.7 to 70.5 fg/platelet. All patients with recurrent ITP and 85% of patients with acute ITP had elevated PAIgg. Elevated PAIgG was also found in 17% of patients with recovered ITP, 40% of patients with SLE and thrombocytopenia, 57% of patients with thrombocytopenia occurring during the course of septicemia, and 100% of patients with IgG myeloma in whom the serum IgG level was clearly elevated, regardless of the platelet count. The results are similar to reports that used more complex techniques.

Multiple Cycles of Recombinant Human Thrombopoietin Therapy in a Patient with Chronic Refractory Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura.

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 3933-3933
Author(s):  
Yongqiang Zhao ◽  
Baolai Hua ◽  
Nong Zou ◽  
Shujie Wang ◽  
Tienan Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Platelet Count ◽  
Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Immunosuppressive Agents ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Platelet Production ◽  
Platelet Counts ◽  
Multiple Cycles ◽  
Recombinant Human Thrombopoietin ◽  
Refractory Itp

Abstract Thrombopoietin (TPO) is the key regulator of megakaryocytepoiesis and platelet production. TPO binds to its specific receptor, c-Mpl, on the surfaces of megakaryocytes, and may promote the proliferation, differentiation and maturation of megakaryocytes, and finally increase the circulating platelet count. The role of TPO in the pathogenesis of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is not certain. Plasma concentrations of TPO in ITP patients were similar to or little lower than that in healthy subjects. Therefore it is possible that supplemental TPO could significantly promote platelet production and increase platelet counts in ITP patients. Here, we report the result of multiple cycles of recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO) therapy in a patient with refractory ITP. The patient, a 42-year-old woman, was admitted to our department on December 30, 2003. She had suffered from chronic ITP for more than 4 years. The patient had been treated with glucocorticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents and splenectomy. No sustained response could be achieved. The diagnosis of chronic refractory ITP was made. There were petechiae and gingival bleeding on admission. Liver and spleen were not palpable. Hemoglobin was 142g/L, white blood cell count 7.6×10 9/L, platelet count 15×10 9/L. Bone marrow aspiration revealed that erythroid and myeloid development were normal, megakaryocytes were increased in number and no dysplastic features. After an informed consent was obtained from the patient, rhTPO (Sunshine Pharmaceutical Corporation, China) was administrated subcutaneously at dosage of 1.0 μg/kg, daily for 14 days or until platelet count sustained more than 50×109/L. Anti-rhTPO antibodies were determined weekly by ELISA. Three cycles of rhTPO therapy was given with 6, 13 and 8 dosing for each cycle. The platelet counts before each cycle were all less than10×109/L and increased above 50×109/L on day 5, 11 and 8 of rhTPO administration, respectively. The peak platelet counts of 456, 130 and 82×109/L were reached on day 9, 15 and 13 for each cycle. Then platelet count decreased gradually. The durations of platelet count more than 50×109/L in 3 cycles were 13, 7 and 10 days respectively. No increase of WBC count and Hb level occurred. No liver and kidney function damage, abnormal coagulation functions or thrombosis developed during the treatment. rhTPO antibodies were not detectable. The result indicated that rhTPO could transiently increase peripheral platelet counts of the patient with chronic refractory ITP. It was uncertain why peak platelet counts declined and durations of platelet count more than 50×109/L shortened when multiple cycles of rhTPO were given.

Standard of Care in Patients with Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura: A Retrospective Chart Analysis.

Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 3990-3990 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry Gernsheimer ◽  
James Bussel ◽  
Elsa Lam ◽  
Joseph Leveque
Keyword(s):  
Prospective Study ◽  
Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Initial Treatment ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Initial Therapy ◽  
Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Female Population ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Future Prospective Study

Abstract A retrospective chart review has value for providing a preliminary understanding of a standard of care for a given disease. Most importantly, it can serve as a pilot study to help clarify a research question, determine appropriate sample size, and identify feasibility issues for a future prospective study. The goal of our analysis was to characterize the standard of care in a group of patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) based on a retrospective review of their medical records. ITP is a rare disorder in which platelets are destroyed by autoantibodies and platelet production is impaired. The initial treatment usually involves corticosteroids or intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG). When initial treatment is unsuccessful, splenectomy is often the next measure. A total of 47 hematologists and oncologists across the US who reported having at least 10 current ITP patients were recruited to participate. Physicians were instructed to pull charts of 3 patients diagnosed with ITP ≥1 to <4 years previously. The following criteria were used to select patient charts: 3 patients for each physician were to have been last examined in January, February, and March 2005, respectively, with birth dates in January or February, March or April, and May or June, respectively. The data extraction tool was a form completed for each patient and provided information on demography, initial diagnosis of ITP, initial treatment, platelet count history, and ITP treatment history. Data were collected between May and September 2005. Charts for a total of 135 patients were examined. Eighty-three patients were women, and 52 were men, reflecting the higher frequency of ITP in the female population. Ages ranged from 18 to 94 years; the wide distribution in age may reflect the observation by some that ITP occurs more frequently with increasing age. Of the original 135 patients, 86 were determined to have chronic ITP (relapse after response to initial therapy) as judged by secondary physician review, and standard of care was analyzed for those patients. The initial ITP therapy was prednisone in 70% (N=60) of the patients and prednisone plus IVIG in 22% (N=19); the remaining 8% (N=7) received "other" initial therapy, including prednisone plus Danazol (3 patients), WinRho (3 patients), and prednisone plus WinRho (1 patient). The number of patients in the "other" category was judged to be too small to provide meaningful information, and the subsequent analysis focused on those in the first two categories. A change in initial therapy was made for 63% of the patients receiving prednisone monotherapy and 63% of those receiving prednisone plus IVIG after an average of 119 and 134 days, respectively. Splenectomy was performed in 20% of the patients receiving prednisone monotherapy and 32% of those receiving prednisone plus IVIG after an average of 149 and 244 days, respectively. Thus, approximately 50% of the patients had a splenectomy within one year after diagnosis. The results of this retrospective chart analysis are being used to help design a future prospective study on standard of care in ITP.

Safety and Efficacy of Laparoscopic Splenectomy in Patients with Refractory Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura. A Long-Term Survey

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 4548-4548
Author(s):  
Nicola Cascavilla ◽  
Matteo Scaramuzzi ◽  
Michele Nobile ◽  
Matteo Dell’Olio ◽  
Antonietta Pia Falcone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Platelet Count ◽  
Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Laparoscopic Splenectomy ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Safety And Efficacy ◽  
Haematological Response ◽  
Short And Long Term

Abstract Background: Despite the popularity of splenectomy has decreased dramatically in the past few years, the surgical approach remains the best therapy for patients with refractory Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) in terms of high and durable rate of response (Vesely et al, Ann Intern Med2004; 140: 112). The recent introduction of anti-CD20 antibodies and thrombopoietins of second generation such as AMG 531 and Eltrombopag may have a relevant role (Kuter et al, Lancet2008; 371: 362) but their long-term safety and efficacy have not been still established. In parallel with new drugs, there has been an evolution in the surgery of splenectomy as well (Dolan et al, Am J Hematol2008; 83: 93). Actually, the laparoscopic surgery is considered the standard approach and the ITP represents the most common indication in 50–80% of all the laparoscopic splenectomies. Methods: The aim of this study is to evaluate the long-term complete and partial haematological response (CR + PR), as well as the short and long-term complications, of 40 patients (30 females and 10 males; median age: 38 years - range 6–71) with unresponsive ITP after one or more medical approaches and underwent laparoscopic splenectomy at our Institution from 1999 through 2006. The 40 patients accounted for 22.2% of 181 patients diagnosed in those years. An abdominal CT scan to evaluate the presence of accessory spleens was performed in all cases. All patients received meningococcal, pneumococcal and haemophilus influenzae vaccine one week before splenectomy. For 4 or 5 days before splenectomy the patients were treated with high doses of intravenous Immunoglobulins. Anti-thrombotic prophylaxis was performed with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) for 10 days and afterwards with cardioaspirin (ASA) if the platelet count exceeded 500x10E9/L. Results: No cases required conversion to laparotomic splenectomy. An accessory spleen was found in 2 patients (5%). Immediate haematological response rate was of 100%. At date, after a median follow-up of 78 months (range 28–112 months), 36 patients (90%) remain in CR or PR with a platelet count more than 50x10E9/L and 2 patients are taking ASA. Four patients (10%) relapsed; out of which, 2 patients have a platelet count less than 10x10E9/L. Short and long-term mortality rate was 0%. Immediate postoperative complications rate was 5%: we observed 2 cases of hemoperitoneum related to a trocar’s tube and to an active bleeding, respectively, both resolved with new laparoscopic approach. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 4,5 days (range 4–8). Neither cases of bacterial sepsis in the postoperative or during the follow-up time, nor cases of splenic-portal vein thrombosis (SPVT) and no cases of neoplasms occurred. Conclusions: Our experience suggests that laparoscopic splenectomy is an excellent approach to patients with refractory ITP in terms of safety, efficacy and costs. With respect to laparotomic splenectomy, the use of laparoscopy is likely to make the splenectomy even safer and therefore suitable for a larger number of patients. Undoubtedly there is a great expectation for the new drugs (Rodeghiero et al, Am J Hematol2008; 83: 91) and we agree that only controlled comparative clinical trials (Vianelli et al, Haematologica2005; 90: 72) will be able or not to say a final word and to challenge the role of splenectomy.

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