Research Advance in Treatment of Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura --Review

Abstract

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a thrombotic microangiopathy, in which a severe deficiency of von Willebrand factor lyase results in thrombocytopenic clots that block blood vessels and eventually lead to terminal organ failure. Therapeutic plasma exchange is the cornerstone of TTP treatment which can greatly improves the survival rate of the patients. With the further exploration to the pathophysiological mechanism of TTP, other alternative therapies, new immunosuppressive agents, targeted antagonists, gene therapy and other emerging means gradually emerge, which are expected to further reduce the mortality and recurrence rate of the patients. In this review, the new developments in TTP treatment were summarized briefly.