Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400042, China.
Department of Nephrology and Urology, 958th Hospital, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400020, China.
Clin Rheumatol. 2022 Aug;41(8):2561-2569. doi: 10.1007/s10067-022-06155-6. Epub 2022 May 7.
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), a life-threatening syndrome characterized by acute microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and visceral ischemia, can be classified as congenital TTP (inherited due to a mutation in ADAMTS13) and acquired TTP. The acquired TTP is further classified as idiopathic and secondary TTP. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is regarded as one of the most common causes of secondary TTP (SLE-TTP). In contrast to patients with idiopathic TTP, some patients with SLE-TTP, especially those diagnosed with refractory TTP, are resistant to plasma exchange and high-dose corticosteroids and usually require second-line drugs, including newly developed biologicals. Belimumab, a B-lymphocyte stimulator-specific inhibitor, was the first approved new therapy for SLE in the past 50 years. Only two cases of SLE-TTP using belimumab have been reported; however, detailed information has not been made available. Herein, we describe a 28-year-old female patient who presented with palm petechiae, strong tawny urine, and yellow stained skin and sclera, and was diagnosed with SLE-TTP supported by high anti-ANA titers; positive anti-SSA/SM; pleural effusion; decreased platelet count, hemoglobin, and complement C3/C4 counts; increased lactate dehydrogenase level, along with increased schistocytes; and a significant deficiency of ADAMTS13 activity. Belimumab (10 mg/kg) was administered after six plasma exchanges. Good efficiency and outcomes without any adverse events, SLE, or TTP relapse were observed during 12 months of follow-up. Therefore, belimumab is a promising choice for SLE-TTP management. In addition, we provide a focused review of the existing literature on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and therapeutic strategies for SLE-TTP.
血栓性血小板减少性紫癜(TTP)是一种危及生命的综合征,其特征为急性微血管性溶血性贫血、血小板减少和内脏缺血,可分为先天性 TTP(因 ADAMTS13 突变引起的遗传性疾病)和获得性 TTP。获得性 TTP 进一步分为特发性和继发性 TTP。系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)被认为是继发性 TTP(SLE-TTP)最常见的原因之一。与特发性 TTP 患者不同,一些 SLE-TTP 患者,尤其是那些被诊断为难治性 TTP 的患者,对血浆置换和大剂量皮质类固醇治疗无效,通常需要二线药物治疗,包括新开发的生物制剂。Belimumab 是一种 B 淋巴细胞刺激物特异性抑制剂,是过去 50 年来批准用于治疗 SLE 的第一种新疗法。仅有两例使用 belimumab 治疗 SLE-TTP 的病例报告,但未提供详细信息。在此,我们报告了 1 例 28 岁女性患者,其表现为手掌瘀点、浓茶色尿、黄色皮肤和巩膜,结合高抗 ANA 滴度、抗 SSA/SM 阳性、胸腔积液、血小板计数、血红蛋白和补体 C3/C4 计数下降、乳酸脱氢酶水平升高、出现棘形红细胞,以及 ADAMTS13 活性显著缺乏,诊断为 SLE-TTP。在进行了 6 次血浆置换后,给予 belimumab(10mg/kg)治疗。在 12 个月的随访期间,观察到疗效良好,无任何不良事件、SLE 或 TTP 复发。因此,belimumab 是治疗 SLE-TTP 的一种有前途的选择。此外,我们对 SLE-TTP 的发病机制、诊断和治疗策略的现有文献进行了重点回顾。