Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Study data from McMaster University, Health Science Center provide new insights into thrombocytopenic purpura therapy

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Library Library Home This article was published in Biotech Business Week, which you can subscribe to online.

"A subset of patients with TTP has antibodies to ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13) and may become resistant to conventional treatments. We describe a patient with TTP and high-titre anti-ADAMTS13 antibodies who developed a chronic, relapsing course of TTP despite frequent TPE. Once adjuvant treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) was added, remission was achieved. Even during remission, anti-ADAMTS13 antibodies remained elevated," wrote J.C. Moore and colleagues, McMaster University, Health Science Center.

The researchers concluded: "We conclude that IVIG may sustain remission in some patients with chronic, relapsing TTP."

Moore and colleagues published their study in Vox Sanguinis (Intravenous immunoglobulin as an adjunct to plasma exchange for the treatment of chronic thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Vox Sanguinis, 2007;93(2):173-5).

For additional information, contact J.C. Moore, Michael G De Groote School of Medicine, Dept. of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, McMaster University, 1200 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Publisher contact information for the journal Vox Sanguinis is: Blackwell Publishing Ltd., 9600 Garsington Rd., Oxford OX4 2DG, Oxon, England.

Keywords: Canada, Hamilton, Thrombocytopenic Purpura Therapy, Hematology, Intravenous Immunoglobulin, Therapy, Thrombocytopenic Purpura, Treatment.

This article was prepared by Biotech Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Biotech Business Week via NewsRx.com.