Immune gene polymorphisms associated with poor response to platelet transfusion and recombinant factor VII administration in Glanzmann thrombasthenia.

INTRODUCTION: Poor response to platelet and recombinant factor VII administration is a major problem in patients with Glanzmann Thrombasthenia (GT). The risk factors associated with poor response to treatment in these patients are unknown. Some genetic variations of cytokines may contribute to therapy resistance. AIMS: We evaluated, for the first time, whether genetic polymorphisms on cytokine genes are related to poor treatment response in GT patients. METHODS: We enrolled 30 patients with GT (15 resistant and 15 non-resistant) and 100 healthy controls. Gene polymorphisms of IL-10 and TNF-α were analysed using TaqMan Realtime PCR, and IL-1, IL-1R1 and IL-1RN were investigated with the RFLP method. In-silico analyses were performed to predict the potential impact of these polymorphisms. RESULTS: In the resistant group, all patients had a variant of the IL-10 gene at the -1082 position (rs1800896), with a GG genotype that was significantly more frequent than the non-resistant group. Analysis between healthy controls and GT patients revealed a probable correlation between rs3783550, rs3783553, rs3917356 and rs2234463 and GT. The In-silico study indicated that TNF-α rs1800629 and IL-10 rs1800896 polymorphisms result in different allelic expressions which may contribute to poor response to therapy. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that polymorphisms in the IL-10 and IL-1 receptor antagonist genes may play a role in poor therapy response in GT patients. In addition, some polymorphisms in IL-1α, IL1-ß, IL-1R1 and IL-R antagonists might be involved in the GT progression.

Glanzmann's thrombasthenia associated with gastrointestinal angiodysplasias successfully treated with bevacizumab.

Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia (GT) is a rare hemorrhagic condition caused by a platelet surface receptor disorder of the glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa. Symptoms of GT are various forms of hemorrhages, such as purpura, epistaxis and menorrhagia. Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is a rare expression of the condition and may occur due to traumas in the GI tract or as a consequence of gastrointestinal angiodysplasia (GIADs). In this case report, we present a middle-aged woman with recurrent GIB consequent to GIADs with persistent melena and iron deficiency anemia. After several unsuccessful therapeutic interventions, the patient was studied by the hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia's (HHT - Osler-Weber-Rendu disease) unit, where she received bevacizumab, showing a complete improvement in symptoms as well as a reduction in her GIADs. This case shows that bevacizumab could be a possible line of treatment for patients with coagulation disorders with GIADs.

Transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy and immune haematological complications following intestine-containing organ transplantation: experience from over 100 consecutive cases.

Descriptions of passenger lymphocyte syndrome (PLS), immune cytopenias and transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA) after intestine-containing transplants remain scarce. We describe our centre's experience of these complications from 2007 to 2019. Ninety-six patients received 103 transplants. PLS occurred in 9 (9%) patients (median 12 days post-transplant); all due to ABO antibodies. There were 31 minor ABO mismatch transplants. No patient required change in immunosuppression. Immune cytopenias (excluding PLS) occurred in six patients at an incidence of 1·7/100 patient years; three immune haemolysis, one immune thrombocytopenia, one acquired Glanzmann's and one immune neutropenia; 50% occurred with other cytopenias. All cases eventually responded to treatment, with a median of four treatments (range 1-8) and 5/6 were treated with rituximab. One patient with immune haemolysis required bortezomib. Complications were common in patients with immune cytopenias; 4/6 with infection needing intravenous antibiotics and 3/6 with venous thromboembolism. In 3/6 cases, a secondary cause for the immune cytopenia was evident. Switching from tacrolimus to ciclosporin was not necessary. There were five cases of transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA; 1·5/100 patient years) requiring calcineurin inhibitor withdrawal; two cases associated with acute rejection. Two cases were managed with plasma exchange, one with plasma infusions and one with eculizumab. Further research in this patient group is required.

Long-term treatment with thalidomide for severe recurrent hemorrhage from intestinal angiodysplasia in Glanzmann Thrombasthenia.

Gastrointestinal angiodysplasia (GIA) is the most common cause of occult gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) requiring often hospitalization and transfusions, especially in patients with hemorrhagic disorders. Thalidomide, impairing neo-angiogenesis, has been successfully used in the management of bleeding in patients with GIA and in particular in patients with inherited bleeding disorders. Only one case of short-term treatment with thalidomide in a patient with Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) and recurrent GIB due to GIA has been reported so far.We report the case of a woman with GT developing high frequency recurrent GIB due to GIA requiring repeated blood and platelet transfusions, who was treated with thalidomide obtaining a striking and stable reduction of GIB and of the requirement of platelet and blood transfusions for over 5 years. Moreover, we raise the suspicion that the association between GT and GIA may not be fortuitous.

The Use of Recombinant Activated Factor VII in Patients with Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia.

Platelet transfusion is the standard treatment to control or prevent bleeding in patients with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia (GT), but platelets are often unavailable. Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) is an effective alternative to platelets in patients with GT with past/present refractoriness to platelet transfusions and antibodies to platelets. However, there is an unmet need for an alternative to platelets in patients without antibodies. This report summarizes evidence of efficacy and safety of rFVIIa in patients with GT without refractoriness or antibodies to platelets from three different sources: the Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia Registry (GTR), published literature (January 01, 1999 to December 01, 2017), and the Novo Nordisk safety surveillance database. In the GTR, 133 patients received rFVIIa for the treatment of 333 bleeding episodes and prevention of bleeding in 157 surgical procedures. Overall efficacy rates were 79 and 88%, respectively, in patients treated for bleeding episodes or for the prevention of bleeding during surgery; effectiveness was generally similar across refractoriness/antibody status categories. Median dose per infusion of rFVIIa was close to that recommended for patients with GT (90 µg/kg). Data from 14 published case reports also demonstrated that rFVIIa is effective with an acceptable safety profile in patients with GT without antibodies to platelets. Analysis of adverse events reported in GTR and in Novo Nordisk safety surveillance database did not raise any new safety concerns. These data supported the label extension of rFVIIa to include cases where platelets are not readily available, which was approved by the European Medicines Agency in December 2018.

Glanzmann's thrombasthenia: a rare bleeding disorder in a Nigerian girl.

INTRODUCTION: Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia (GT) is a rare autosomal recessive bleeding disorder due to defective platelet membrane glycoprotein GP IIb/IIIa (integrin αIIbß3). The prevalence is estimated at 1:1,000,000 and it is commonly seen in areas where consanguinity is high. CASE PRESENTATION: The authors report a 12 year old Nigerian girl of Igbo ethnic group, born of non-consanguineous parents, who presented with prolonged heavy menstrual bleeding which started at menarche 3 months earlier, weakness and dizziness. She had a past history of recurrent episodes of prolonged epistaxis, gastrointestinal bleeding and gum bleeding during early childhood. On examination, she was severely pale with a haemic murmur and vaginal bleeding. The initial diagnosis was menorrhagia secondary to bleeding diathesis possibly von Willebrand's Disease. She was on supportive treatment with fresh whole blood, fresh frozen plasma and platelets until diagnosis of GT was made in the USA. Currently, she is on 3 monthly intramuscular Depo-provera with remarkable improvement. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documented report of GT in our environment where consanguinity is rarely practised. Our health facilities require adequate diagnostic and treatment facilities for rare diseases like GT.

Acquired Glanzmann thrombasthenia: From antibodies to anti-platelet drugs.

In contrast to the inherited platelet disorder given by mutations in the ITGA2B and ITGB3 genes, mucocutaneous bleeding from a spontaneous inhibition of normally expressed αIIbß3 characterizes acquired Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT). Classically, it is associated with autoantibodies or paraproteins that block platelet aggregation without causing a fall in platelet count. However, inhibitory antibodies to αIIbß3 are widely associated with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), occur in secondary ITP associated with leukemia and related disorders, solid cancers and myeloma, other autoimmune diseases, following organ transplantation while cytoplasmic dysregulation of αIIbß3 function features in myeloproliferative and myelodysplastic syndromes. Antibodies to αIIbß3 occur during viral and bacterial infections, while drug-dependent antibodies reacting with αIIbß3 are a special case. Direct induction of acquired GT is a feature of therapies that block platelets in coronary artery disease. This review looks at these conditions, emphasizing molecular mechanisms, therapy, patient management and future directions for research.

Intraventricular hemorrhage in ICSI twin pregnant woman with thrombasthenia: A rare case report.

Intraventricular hemorrhage is bleeding into the fluid-filled areas (ventricles) inside the brain. The condition occurs most often in babies that are born premature, growth restricted and twins pregnancies. Abnormal platelets number or functions are responsible greatly for this condition. We presented here a pregnant woman had thrombasthenia at 28 weeks of gestation with ultrasound findings of intraventricular haemorrhage in her both ICSI twin's fetuses.

Low Concentrations of Recombinant Factor VIIa May Improve the Impaired Thrombin Generation of Glanzmann Thrombasthenia Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) is a rare bleeding disorder. The disease is caused by the lack or dysfunction of platelet membrane glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (integrin αIIbß3) which is essential for platelet aggregation. Bleeding episodes are usually managed by platelet transfusions. Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) is a common adjunct or alternative treatment option. OBJECTIVE: This article evaluates GT patients' response to increasing concentrations of rFVIIa using an ex vivo thrombin generation assay to elaborate the knowledge in which rFVIIa treats a platelet dysfunction for bleeding episodes and preoperative management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four GT patients in a non-bleeding state were enrolled into the study. Thrombin generation was measured in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the presence of 0.7 to 7.0 µg/mL rFVIIa. Clinical data of rFVIIa used to treat GT patients' bleeding episodes was collected, and patients' follow-up course was documented. RESULTS: Thrombin generation was significantly decreased in GT patients compared with controls. An individual response to rFVIIa spiking was noted in GT patients' PRP. In the majority of patients, a significant improvement in thrombin generation was already demonstrated with low concentrations (0.7 µg/mL) of rFVIIa. CONCLUSION: Thrombin generation is improved in the majority of GT patients following ex vivo spiking with rFVIIa. The magnitude of this improvement is individual and was noted at low concentrations of rFVIIa. There is a need for a prospective clinical trial to find the optimal doses or rFVIIa for treatment of GT patients.

Reversal of Glanzmann thrombasthenia platelet phenotype after imatinib treatment in a pediatric chronic myeloid leukemia patient.

Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by proliferation of Philadelphia positive clonal pluripotent hematopoietic cells. Bleeding is a rare presentation of CML that can occur due to platelet dysfunction. Both pre-treatment and post-treatment platelet function abnormalities in CML have been described in the literature. We describe a rare case of childhood CML who presented with mucocutateous bleeding manifestations. On laboratory workup, a Glanzmann Thrombasthenia (GT) like platelet phenotype was demonstrated along with confirmation of diagnosis of CML in chronic phase. The acquired nature of platelet function defect was confirmed by demonstrating recovery of platelet antigens glycoprotein IIb/IIIa after achieving complete hematological response with Imatinib. Due to presenting complaint of bleeding diathesis and absence of hepatosplenomegaly, the case was undiagnosed for CML until the patient reported to us. Careful evaluation of complete blood counts, peripheral blood picture and detailed laboratory workup was the window to proper diagnosis and treatment in this case.

[Activated Factor VII - 31 years experience on clinical grounds]. / Az aktivált VII. faktor ­ 31 éves klinikai alkalmazás tanulságai.

The author provides an overview of the use of recombinant activated FVII (rFVIIa, Novoseven), which is used over 30 years, based upon international publications and also on some modest own experience. Standard, approved indications (inhibitory cases, Glanzmann thrombasthenia, prophylaxis experience) are in the focus of this paper, emphasizing the specially rapid and efficacious way of Novoseven therapy, drawing attention to excellent safety issues regarding very low immunogenicity along with low number of thrombogenic complications. A careful, cautious and critical evaluation of Novoseven therapy is also provided in rather special forms of critical bleeding conditions considering international recommendations and institutional registry data. Orv Hetil. 2017; 158(24): 923-928.

Surgical procedures in patients with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia: case series and literature review.

Glanzmann's thrombasthenia is a rare platelet function disorder with an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance. Achieving haemostasis in such patients who undergo surgical procedures always poses a significant challenge. Herein we report six cases of Glanzmann's thrombasthenia, who underwent nine surgeries under the cover of platelet-rich concentrates with or without recombinant activated factor VII . Of these, five were major surgeries such as thyroidectomy, laparotomy, Hartmann's procedure, reversal of Hartmann's procedure and a complete dental extraction. All five procedures were successfully done without any major bleeding. The major cost incurred in these procedures is due to the large number of blood products used and recombinant activated factor VII if used.

Efficacy of tranexamic acid for the prevention of bleeding in patients with von Willebrand disease and Glanzmann thrombasthenia: a controlled, before and after trial.

INTRODUCTION: Reducing bleeding episodes is very important in haematology disorders like von Willebrand disease (VWD) and Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT). Replacement factors are very expensive although prophylactic drugs are affordable. OBJECTIVE: To study the prophylactic effects of tranexamic acid (TXA) for reduction of bleeding episodes in patients with VWD and GT in non-invasive conditions. METHODS: A controlled, double-blind before and after single-centre trial was performed in Amir-Kabir Hospital (Arak, Iran). The study was done on 17 patients with VWD and three patients with GT with minimum age of 2 years. Patients were received placebo for 6 months to evaluate the frequency and severity of bleeding and also to record the frequency of use of factor concentrates and platelet transfusion. After that, patients were given oral single dose of TXA 25 mg kg(-1) day(-1) for 6 months. The mentioned outcomes were studied and compared between two phases of study. Safety assessment was done in all patients. RESULTS: Tranexamic acid caused a significant reduction in number of Grade 1 and Grade 2 bleeding episodes in VWD patients (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01 respectively). In addition, TXA therapy was associated with significant decrease in the use of factor concentrates (P < 0.05). Number of bleeding episodes decreased in GT patients who used TXA; however, difference between two phases of studies was not significant (P = 0.1). TXA had no effect in the frequency of platelet transfusions in GT patients. TXA therapy was associated with headache, back pain and musculoskeletal pain. No case of allergy or thromboembolic events was seen following treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that TXA is safe and effective to reduce bleeding and use of factor concentrates in VWD patients. In addition, TXA therapy can decrease bleeding in GT patients.

New Insights Into the Treatment of Glanzmann Thrombasthenia.

Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) is a rare inherited autosomal recessive bleeding disorder of platelet function caused by a quantitative or qualitative defect of platelet membrane glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (integrin αIIbß3), a fibrinogen receptor required for platelet aggregation. Bleeds in GT are variable and may be severe and unpredictable. Bleeding not responsive to local and adjunctive measures, as well as surgical procedures, is treated with platelets, recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa), or antifibrinolytics, alone or in combination. Although platelets are the standard treatment for GT, their use is associated with the risk of blood-borne infection transmission and may also cause the development of platelet antibodies (to human leukocyte antigens and/or αIIbß3), potentially resulting in platelet refractoriness. Currently, where rFVIIa is approved for use in GT, this is mostly for patients with platelet antibodies and/or a history of platelet refractoriness. However, data from the prospective Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia Registry (829 bleeds and 206 procedures in 218 GT patients) show that rFVIIa was frequently used in nonsurgical and surgical bleeds, with high efficacy rates, irrespective of platelet antibodies/refractoriness status. The mechanisms underpinning rFVIIa effectiveness in GT have been studied. At therapeutic concentrations, rFVIIa binds to activated platelets and directly activates FX to FXa, resulting in a burst of thrombin generation. Thrombin converts fibrinogen to fibrin and also enhances GT platelet adhesion and aggregation mediated by the newly converted (polymeric) fibrin, leading to primary hemostasis at the wound site. In addition, thrombin improves the final clot structure and activates thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor to decrease clot lysis.