Autoimmunity and novel therapies in immune-mediated thrombocytopenia.

Abstract

Immune-mediated thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is recognized as a cell-specific autoimmune disorder, yet, multifactorial in origin. The development of thrombocytopenia is well proven to be mediated by both humoral (anti-platelet antibodies) and cellular (T-cell) mediated mechanisms. In some cases other autoantibodies are also induced, eg, antinuclear antibody (ANA), anti-dsDNA, and anti-cardiolipin, in addition to anti-platelet antibodies. The persistance of these autoantibodies during the course of ITP could herald future development of another autoimmune disease, eg, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS). Due to the better understanding of the pathophysiology of ITP, new novel therapies were introduced aiming to achieve long-lasting remissions. In this review we will focus on the autoimmune nature of the disease and on some of the mechanisms of action of these new therapies.

• Authors: Dana Yehudai, Elias Toubi, Yehuda Shoenfeld, Zahava Vadasz
• Journal: Seminars in hematology (Semin Hematol) Vol. 50 Suppl 1 Pg. S100-8 (Jan 2013) ISSN: 1532-8686 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23664506 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Animals
• Autoimmunity (immunology)
• Humans
• Thrombocytopenia (immunology, therapy)