Seguí IG, Mingot Castellano ME, Izquierdo CP, de la Rubia J. Should we consider caplacizumab as routine treatment for acute thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura? An expert perspective on the pros and cons.
Expert Rev Hematol 2024;
17:9-25. [PMID:
38353182 DOI:
10.1080/17474086.2024.2318347]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP) is a rare and life-threatening disorder. Caplacizumab has been the latest drug incorporated into the initial treatment of acute episodes, allowing for faster platelet recovery and a decrease in refractoriness, exacerbation, thromboembolic events, and mortality. However, caplacizumab is also associated with a bleeding risk and higher treatment costs, which prevent many centers from using it universally.
AREAS COVERED
Studies that included iTTP and/or caplacizumab to date were selected for this review using PubMed and MEDLINE platforms. We describe outcomes in the pre-caplacizumab era and after it, highlighting the benefits and risks of its use early in frontline, and also pointing out special situations that require careful management.
EXPERT OPINION
It is clear that the availability of caplacizumab has significantly and favorably impacted the management of iTTP patients. Whether this improvement is cost-effective still remains uncertain, and data on long-term sequelae and different healthcare systems will help to clarify this point. In addition, evidence of the bleeding/thrombotic risk of iTTP patients under this drug needs to be better addressed in future studies.
Collapse