Immune thrombocytopenia is a disorder characterized by a blood abnormality called thrombocytopenia, which is a shortage of blood cells called platelets that are needed for normal blood clotting.
The genetic cause of immune thrombocytopenia is unclear. This condition occurs when the body's own immune system malfunctions and attacks the body's tissues and organs (autoimmunity). Normally, the immune system produces proteins called antibodies, which attach to specific foreign particles and germs, marking them for destruction. In immune thrombocytopenia, the immune system abnormally destroys platelets and makes fewer platelets than normal. People with immune thrombocytopenia produce antibodies that attack normal platelets. The platelets are destroyed and eliminated from the body, resulting in a shortage of these cells in affected individuals. Some of these antibodies also affect the cells in the bone marrow that produce platelets (known as megakaryocytes), which leads to a decrease in platelet production, further reducing the number of platelets in the blood.
The incidence of immune thrombocytopenia is approximately 4 per 100,000 children and 3 per 100,000 adults. In adults with immune thrombocytopenia, women are affected more often than men.
Immune thrombocytopenia and other autoimmune disorders can run in families, but the inheritance pattern is usually unknown. People with a first-degree relative (such as a parent or sibling) with immune thrombocytopenia likely have an increased risk of developing the disorder themselves.
Ralph Boccia is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and an Oncologist in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Boccia has been practicing medicine for over 46 years and is rated as a Distinguished doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Immune Thrombocytopenia. He is also highly rated in 22 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Bone Tumor, Anemia, Multiple Myeloma, and Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). Dr. Boccia is currently accepting new patients.
Craig Kessler is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and a Hematologist in Washington, Washington, D.c.. Dr. Kessler has been practicing medicine for over 50 years and is rated as an Advanced doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Immune Thrombocytopenia. He is also highly rated in 29 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Blood Clots, Hemophilia A, Acquired Hemophilia, Essential Thrombocythemia, and Bone Marrow Aspiration. Dr. Kessler is currently accepting new patients.
Julia Cunningham is a Hematologist Oncology doctor in Washington, Washington, D.c.. Dr. Cunningham has been practicing medicine for over 12 years and is rated as an Advanced doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Immune Thrombocytopenia. She is also highly rated in 3 other conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Thrombocytopenia, Porphyria Cutanea Tarda, Immune Thrombocytopenia, Purpura, and Bone Marrow Aspiration. Dr. Cunningham is currently accepting new patients.
Summary: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of two different doses of ianalumab versus placebo in addition to first-line corticosteroids in maintaining platelet count ≥30 G/L in adult participants with primary ITP.
Summary: This prospective, open-label, nonrandomized, multicenter clinical trial aims at comparing the efficacy and safety of combined use of TPO-RAs with low-dose anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody vs. the best available therapy（BAT）in adult immune thrombocytopenia with autoantibodies failed (due to intolerance or resistance) to first-line treatment.
Published Date: June 01, 2017Published By: National Institutes of Health