Nieuwe behandelmethoden voor auto-immuuntrombocytopenie

-For many years, splenectomy has been considered the only therapy with proven efficacy in patients with relapsed/refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) following corticosteroid therapy.

-A broad spectrum of (mostly immunosuppressive) agents are available for patients who fail to respond to splenectomy. However, the risks associated with these agents sometimes outweigh their benefits.

-Recently, several new or renewed strategies have been evaluated for chronic refractory ITP.

-Short-term therapy with high-dose dexamethasone is an effective alternative to long-term treatment with corticosteroids.

-Depletion of B lymphocytes with rituximab, an agent that has an established role in the treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, also appears to be effective in autoimmune disorders, particularly in ITP.

-Although the main problem in ITP is the increased destruction of thrombocytes, stimulation of thrombocyte production with thrombopoietin(TPO)-receptor agonists can increase thrombocyte counts.

-Two TPO-receptor agonists, AMG531 and eltrombopag, induce responses in 70-80 of ITP patients and are expected to gain approval for use in ITP soon.

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2007;151:2609-14