True vs. false immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura exacerbations: a clinical case in the caplacizumab era

Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis. 2024 Jan 1;35(1):37-42. doi: 10.1097/MBC.0000000000001266. Epub 2023 Nov 2.

Abstract

Acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (aTTP) is a medical emergency requiring urgent plasma exchange and immunosuppressive agents. Recently, the therapeutic options have been expanded by the approval of a novel anti-von Willebrand factor (vWF) nanobody, caplacizumab, inhibiting vWF-platelet aggregation. Here, we present a rare case of a patient affected by immune-mediated TTP (iTTP) reporting ischemic stroke caused by a real iTTP exacerbation during caplacizumab administration and subsequent pancytopenia caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection that mimicked another iTTP exacerbation. The case is a real-life example of a not-frequent iTTP exacerbation in the caplacizumab era and of the new management issues arising with the introduction of the new drugs in clinical practice, highlighting the need of new comprehensive response criteria and treatment guidelines.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • ADAMTS13 Protein
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Plasma Exchange
  • Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic*
  • Single-Domain Antibodies* / pharmacology
  • Single-Domain Antibodies* / therapeutic use
  • von Willebrand Factor / therapeutic use

Substances

  • caplacizumab
  • von Willebrand Factor
  • Single-Domain Antibodies
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • ADAMTS13 Protein