New treatments for primary immune thrombocytopenia

Abstract

Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disease leading to a decreased platelet count and an ensuing haemorrhagic risk. First-line treatment against ITP consists in the administration of immunomodulators aimed at decreasing platelet destruction. Up to 70% of individuals with an ITP diagnosis treated with corticosteroids do not achieve a clinical response or demonstrate a high relapse rate, requiring treatment to prevent a haemorrhagic risk. Less than 30% of patients treated with thrombopoietin analogues, 60% of those treated with splenectomy and 20% of those treated with rituximab reach sustained remission in the absence of treatment. Because of these reasons, it is unquestionable that treatment of patients with ITP should be optimized. Through this study, we will review new actual and future options of treatment.