Clinical Research Directory

A Pilot Study of Efgartigimod for Immune-mediated Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (iTTP)

Immune-mediated Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP) is a rare, autoimmune disorder characterized by life-threatening episodes of thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and organ damage. Patients have an unpredictable course punctuated by relapses associated with autoantibody-mediated (primarily IgG) depletion of ADAMTS13, a key regulator of coagulation. ADAMTS13 deficiency during remission has been associated with increased risk of relapse, but also, and potentially more devastating, ischemic stroke. Until recently, it was presumed that rituximab (a monoclonal antibody targeting B cells) improved relapse-free survival in most patients, but this was based on findings from very small studies. Given concern about stroke and relapse risk, preventive immunosuppression with rituximab has also recently come into practice for patients with falling ADAMTS13 activity (ADAMTS13-relapse). It is expected that following efgartigimod therapy, there will be a rise in ADAMTS13 activity to the normal range that will be sustained during the treatment period. Following withdrawal of therapy, it is expected that most participants will experience a fall in ADAMTS13 activity, demonstrating the safety and efficacy in efgartigimod to reliably but temporarily reduce pathogenic antibodies. This would demonstrate the potential efficacy for efgartigimod as a maintenance therapy to safely prevent relapse of iTTP to be further explored in a larger efficacy study.