ABSTRACT
Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is an acquired clonal disorder of hematopoiesis due to the inactivation of PIG-A gene. However, the presence of mutant PIG-A gene in a group of hematopoietic cells is not enough for the development of PNH, immunologic injury and apoptotic effects are considered to play an important role in clonal expansion. Knowledge of the molecular mechanisms leading to PNH has substantially increased in the past decades, which remarkably advances the diagnostic modalities and treatment approaches of patients with PNH. Though great progress has been made because of targeted therapy method, the challenges are still ahead. In this review the advances of studies on mechanism, laboratorial diagnosis and therapeutic protocols of PNH are summarized.