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Abstract Background A recent Phase 2/3 study in Japanese patients showed that caplacizumab was effective in treating immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP), with a low rate of iTTP recurrence. ADAMTS13 activity is monitored weekly during caplacizumab treatment to guide discontinuation of caplacizumab and consequently avoid exacerbations or relapse. The aim of this study was to assess changes in ADAMTS13 activity/inhibitor levels during caplacizumab treatment in this patient population. Methods A post hoc analysis of the Phase 2/3 study in Japanese patients was conducted. Patients ≥ 18 years old with confirmed iTTP received 10 mg of caplacizumab daily in conjunction with therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) and immunosuppression for 30 days post-TPE. Outcomes included time to recovery of ADAMTS13 activity, ADAMTS13 activity level at treatment end, incidence of ADAMTS13 inhibitor re-elevation (ie, inhibitor boosting) during treatment, time to platelet count recovery, number of days of TPE, and safety. Outcomes according to presence of inhibitor boosting were also assessed. Results Nineteen patients had confirmed iTTP and were included in this analysis. Median (95% confidence interval) time to recovery of ADAMTS13 activity to ≥ 10%, ≥ 20%, and ≥ 60% was 14.6 (5.9–24.8), 18.5 (5.9–31.8), and 47.5 (18.5–60.9) days, respectively. Median (range) ADAMTS13 activity level at caplacizumab treatment end was 62.0% (29.0–101.0). Nine patients had ADAMTS13 inhibitor boosting. Delayed response of ADAMTS13 activity was observed in patients with inhibitor boosting. The median time to platelet count response and median number of TPE days were shorter in patients with inhibitor boosting compared with patients without inhibitor boosting. Rituximab was administered to almost all patients with inhibitor boosting (88.9%), after completion of TPE. Patients without inhibitor boosting who were treated with rituximab received it prior to completion of TPE. Only one patient experienced a recurrence, which occurred shortly after caplacizumab discontinuation due to an adverse event. Conclusions In patients with iTTP, caplacizumab with TPE and immunosuppression may reduce the risk of ADAMTS13 inhibitor boosting if rituximab is administered early in the iTTP treatment period. Early administration of rituximab in addition to caplacizumab may prevent iTTP recurrence with inhibitor boosting. Trial registration NCT04074187.

Background: A recent Phase 2/3 study in Japanese patients showed that caplacizumab was effective in treating immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP), with a low rate of iTTP recurrence. ADAMTS13 activity is monitored weekly during caplacizumab treatment to guide discontinuation of caplacizumab and consequently avoid exacerbations or relapse. The aim of this study was to assess changes in ADAMTS13 activity/inhibitor levels during caplacizumab treatment in this patient population. Methods: A post hoc analysis of the Phase 2/3 study in Japanese patients was conducted. Patients ≥ 18 years old with confirmed iTTP received 10 mg of caplacizumab daily in conjunction with therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) and immunosuppression for 30 days post-TPE. Outcomes included time to recovery of ADAMTS13 activity, ADAMTS13 activity level at treatment end, incidence of ADAMTS13 inhibitor re-elevation (ie, inhibitor boosting) during treatment, time to platelet count recovery, number of days of TPE, and safety. Outcomes according to presence of inhibitor boosting were also assessed. Results: Nineteen patients had confirmed iTTP and were included in this analysis. Median (95% confidence interval) time to recovery of ADAMTS13 activity to ≥ 10%, ≥ 20%, and ≥ 60% was 14.6 (5.9–24.8), 18.5 (5.9–31.8), and 47.5 (18.5–60.9) days, respectively. Median (range) ADAMTS13 activity level at caplacizumab treatment end was 62.0% (29.0–101.0). Nine patients had ADAMTS13 inhibitor boosting. Delayed response of ADAMTS13 activity was observed in patients with inhibitor boosting. The median time to platelet count response and median number of TPE days were shorter in patients with inhibitor boosting compared with patients without inhibitor boosting. Rituximab was administered to almost all patients with inhibitor boosting (88.9%), after completion of TPE. Patients without inhibitor boosting who were treated with rituximab received it prior to completion of TPE. Only one patient experienced a recurrence, which occurred shortly after caplacizumab discontinuation due to an adverse event. Conclusions: In patients with iTTP, caplacizumab with TPE and immunosuppression may reduce the risk of ADAMTS13 inhibitor boosting if rituximab is administered early in the iTTP treatment period. Early administration of rituximab in addition to caplacizumab may prevent iTTP recurrence with inhibitor boosting. Trial registration: NCT04074187. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP) is a rare medical emergency for which a correct and early diagnosis is essential. As a severe deficiency in A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase with ThromboSpondin type 1 repeats, member 13 (ADAMTS13) is the underlying pathophysiology, diagnostic strategies require timely monitoring of ADAMTS13 parameters to differentiate TTP from alternative thrombotic microangiopathies (TMAs) and to guide initial patient management. Assays for conventional ADAMTS13 testing focus on the enzyme activity and presence of (inhibitory) anti-ADAMTS13 antibodies to discriminate immune-mediated TTP (iTTP) from congenital TTP and guide patient management. However, diagnosis of iTTP remains challenging when patients present borderline ADAMTS13 activity. Therefore, additional biomarkers would be helpful to support correct clinical judgment. Over the last few years, the evaluation of ADAMTS13 conformation has proven to be a valuable tool to confirm the diagnosis of acute iTTP when ADAMST13 activity is between 10 and 20%. Screening of ADAMTS13 conformation during long-term patient follow-up suggests it is a surrogate marker for undetectable antibodies. Moreover, some non-ADAMTS13 parameters gained notable interest in predicting disease outcome, proposing meticulous follow-up of iTTP patients. This review summarizes non-ADAMTS13 biomarkers for which inclusion in routine clinical testing could largely benefit differential diagnosis and follow-up of iTTP patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundThrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a syndrome associated with hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and various organ disorders. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a disease that develops when a disintegrin-like and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type l motif 13 (ADAMTS13) activity decreases to < 10% of that in normal plasma, causing platelet thrombosis in microvessels throughout the body. Currently, ADAMTS13-deficient TMA is diagnosed as TTP. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-related TMA includes both acquired TTP, in which ADAMTS13 activity is significantly reduced, and secondary TMA, in which ADAMTS13 activity is not reduced. Both diseases have different prognoses.Case PresentationAn 11-year-old girl was admitted to our hospital on suspicion of TMA with thrombocytopenia and hemolytic anemia. Because the patient had hypocomplementemia, SLE-related TMA or complement-related TMA was considered. Therefore, we initiated plasma exchange (PE) for the patient. Subsequently, she fulfilled the pediatric SLE diagnostic criteria, and ADAMTS13 activity was shown to be decreased and the anti-ADAMTS13 antibody titer increased. She was thus diagnosed with acquired TTP caused by SLE. Treatment response was good as a platelet count and ADAMTS13 activity improved with three times of PE, followed by methylprednisolone pulse therapy and administration of mycophenolate mofetil. Renal pathology showed thrombus formation in glomerular arterioles and lupus nephritis categorized as Class III (A) of the International Society of Nephrology and the Renal Pathology Society classification. Because the patient was thought to be in the high-risk group of SLE, three courses of intravenous cyclophosphamide pulse therapy were administered as an additional induction therapy. No recurrence of TTP was observed.ConclusionIn SLE-related TMA, measurement of ADAMTS13 activity and the anti-ADAMTS13 antibody titer are necessary for diagnosis, and for predicting prognosis and recurrence of the disease; however, in the acute phase of immune-mediated TMA, it is important to initiate proper treatments even before knowing the results to improve prognosis.

Data are limited on the impact of commencing antiplatelet therapy on von Willebrand Factor Antigen (VWF:Ag) or von Willebrand Factor propeptide (VWFpp) levels and ADAMTS13 activity, and their relationship with platelet reactivity following TIA/ischaemic stroke. In this pilot, observational study, VWF:Ag and VWFpp levels and ADAMTS13 activity were quantified in 48 patients ≤4 weeks of TIA/ischaemic stroke (baseline), and 14 days (14d) and 90 days (90d) after commencing aspirin, clopidogrel or aspirin+dipyridamole. Platelet reactivity was assessed at moderately-high shear stress (PFA-100® Collagen-Epinephrine / Collagen-ADP / INNOVANCE PFA P2Y assays), and low shear stress (VerifyNow® Aspirin / P2Y12, and Multiplate® Aspirin / ADP assays). VWF:Ag levels decreased and VWFpp/VWF:Ag ratio increased between baseline and 14d and 90d in the overall population (P ≤ 0.03). In the clopidogrel subgroup, VWF:Ag levels decreased and VWFpp/VWF:Ag ratio increased between baseline and 14d and 90d (P ≤ 0.01), with an increase in ADAMTS13 activity between baseline vs. 90d (P ≤ 0.03). In the aspirin+dipyridamole subgroup, there was an inverse relationship between VWF:Ag and VWFpp levels with both PFA-100 C-ADP and INNOVANCE PFA P2Y closure times (CTs) at baseline (P ≤ 0.02), with PFA-100 C-ADP, INNOVANCE PFA P2Y and C-EPI CTs at 14d (P ≤ 0.05), and between VWF:Ag levels and PFA-100 INNOVANCE PFA P2Y CTs at 90d (P = 0.03). There was a positive relationship between ADAMTS13 activity and PFA-100 C-ADP CTs at baseline (R2 = 0.254; P = 0.04). Commencing/altering antiplatelet therapy, mainly attributed to commencing clopidogrel in this study, was associated with decreasing endothelial activation following TIA/ischaemic stroke. These data enhance our understanding of the impact of VWF:Ag and VWFpp especially on ex-vivo platelet reactivity status at high shear stress after TIA/ischaemic stroke. • von Willebrand factor antigen levels decreased on clopidogrel after TIA/ischaemic stroke. • ADAMTS13 activity increased between baseline and 90 days after starting clopidogrel. • Clopidogrel might facilitate ADAMTS13-mediated proteolysis of VWF Antigen over time. • VWF antigen & propeptide levels influence platelet reactivity at high shear stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is a thrombotic microangiopathic condition characterized by hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, neurologic abnormalities, fever and renal dysfunction. Thrombotic microangiopathies such as preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome are pregnancy-specific, whereas others such as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and hemolytic uremic syndrome are not. In this report, we present a case at which we identified a novel mutation which led to a significant reduction of ADAMTS13 activity. Case: A nulliparous pregnant woman of 32-year-old presenting with epigastric pain, hypertension and low platelet count was first suspected of HELLP syndrome, but was diagnosed with congenital TTP after delivery. Conclusion: HELLP syndrome co-existed with undiagnosed TTP in this case. We strive to have sufficient awareness in order to distinguish these two pathologies from each other on an antenatal basis, because the causes of the managements are entirely different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (cTTP) is a rare disease that is defined as biallelic mutations of ADAMTS13 causing persistent absence of ADAMTS13 activity. The confirmed diagnosis requires a genetic study, and cTTP has never been previously reported in Taiwan. Our patient was a 29-year-old Taiwanese woman who presented with severe hyperbilirubinemia at birth. She had severe thrombocytopenia and hemolytic anemia at the age of 1, and another acute TTP event at the age of 7 triggered by an upper airway infection. Regular plasma replacement was started at age 12 based on a presumptive diagnosis of cTTP. Clinical diagnosis of cTTP, with undetectable ADAMTS13 activity and absence of ADAMTS13 inhibitor, was confirmed at age 27. A genetic study showed a previously reported mutation c.1921G to A, inherited from her father, and a maternally inherited, novel mutation at exon 12, c.1435+1dupG, which results in a splicing site change and frame shift. Reports of cTTP from East Asia, except Japan, are scarce. Some prevalent ADAMTS13 mutations are also race or region specific. With this report, we hope to raise awareness among physicians in Taiwan, promote early, proper diagnosis of cTTP, and reveal the true prevalence of cTTP in the Taiwanese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The PLASMIC score was recently published to aid in the early identification of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) patients. This study aims to evaluate whether this score is suitable for Chinese suspected TTP patients and find the utility of patients' other characteristics in predicting severe ADAMTS13 deficiency. Methods: We retrospectively studied a Chinese cohort of 38 consecutive hospitalized patients with suspected TTP, ADAMTS13 test results, and other clinical data from September 2016 to May 2018. The predictive power of PLASMIC score in our cohort was evaluated, and patients' other characteristics, especially the high lactate dehydrogenase/the upper limit of normal (LDH/ULN), were studied to determine their distinguishing ability for TTP patients. Results: In this Chinese cohort, 17 patients were diagnosed with TTP according to ADAMTS13 activity results. When dichotomized at intermediate‐high risk (scores 5‐7) vs low risk (scores 0‐4), the PLASMIC score predicted TTP with a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 9.52%, and a misdiagnosis rate of 90.48%. And the LDH/ULN alone, or plus platelet count, reticulocyte percentage and indirect bilirubin (IBIL) both had excellent predictive power (area under the curve [AUC] 0.937, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.863‐1.000, P =.000, and AUC 0.994, 95% CI 0.980‐1.000, P =.000, respectively). The model including platelet count, reticulocyte percentage, IBIL, and LDH/ULN ratio had a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 95.2%, and a misdiagnosis rate of 4.8%. Conclusions: A modified PLASMIC score plus LDH/ULN ratio might be more suitable for identifying ADAMTS13 deficiency patients, especially for making an earlier diagnosis, guiding the immediate and reasonable plasma exchange, and also avoiding unnecessary allocation of plasma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interrelationship between ADAMTS13 activity, von Willebrand factor, and complement activation in remission from immune-mediated trhrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura We analyzed the ADAMTS13 biomarker data, VWF multimer status, and complement activation biomarker data in banked samples obtained during clinical remission in patients with a diagnosis of iTTP. An analysis of the relationship of the ADAMTS13 activity to ULVWF multimer status in patients in remission of iTTP was performed to determine if the I in vitro i ADAMTS13 activity correlates with the expected I in vivo i function. [Extracted from the article]

Cobalamin C (cblC) deficiency is the most commonly inherited inborn error of vitamin B12 metabolism. It is characterized by multisystem involvement with severe neurological, hematological, renal and cardiopulmonary manifestations. Disease is most commonly diagnosed early in the first decade of life. We report a case of a 20-year-old woman who developed severe pulmonary arterial hypertension while under nephrologic follow-up for chronic kidney disease. She had initially presented at 14 years of age with visual disturbance and acute renal failure and been diagnosed with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura on the basis of kidney biopsy findings of thrombotic microangiopathy and compatible ADAMTS13 (a disentegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif member 13). When cblC deficiency was eventually diagnosed, remarkable improvement in cardiopulmonary function was evident upon initiation of treatment. This case highlights the importance of a timely diagnosis and initiation of treatment for cblC deficiency. Clinical diagnosis may be challenged by asynchronous organ symptom presentation and by misleading laboratory tests, in this case: an initial low ADAMTS13. A simple test of plasma homocysteine level should be encouraged in cases of thrombotic microangiopathy and/or pulmonary artery hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The PLASMIC score was recently described as a convenient tool for predicting ADAMTS13 activity ≤10% in patients with possible thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), while awaiting the results of this send-out test. The purpose of this study was to validate the PLASMIC score at our University Medical Center. Methods Apheresis records were reviewed from 2008 to 2017 to identify patients who received plasma exchange (PLEX) for suspected TTP. The ADAMTS13 activity and PLASMIC scoring criteria were recorded, and the PLASMIC score was calculated. Results Of the 41 patients identified, 20 met inclusion criteria, of which 7 patients had ADAMTS13 activity ≤10%. Intermediate and high PLASMIC scores had 100% sensitivity, 46.2% specificity, 50% positive predictive value (PPV), and 100% negative predictive value (NPV). Conclusion These results are consistent with the original validation study of the PLASMIC score, supporting the efficacy of the PLASMIC score and validating its use at our institution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Differential diagnosis between thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and other thrombotic microangiopathies (TMA) is usually difficult because of frequently overlapping clinical presentations. Severely depressed ADAMTS13 activity (<10 %) seems distinctive for TTP because of its pathogenetic role. However a long debate exists in the literature about its sensibility and specificity. Our aim was to search for clinical differences between TMA patients referred to our laboratory, comparing them for protease activity <10 versus ≥10 %. ADAMTS13 activity ≥10 % patients (n = 73) showed a higher prevalence of drug- (p = 0.005) and cancer-associated (p < 0.001) TMA. Mean platelet count and renal dysfunction prevalence was lower (p < 0.001), while neurological impairment was more frequent (p = 0.001) in the <10 % ADAMTS13 activity group (n = 109), confirming previous literature findings. When taken neurological manifestations singularly, epilepsy (p = 0.04), focal motor deficit (p < 0.001) and cranial nerve palsy (p = 0.007) were more frequent in the <10 % activity group. In our case series, a <10 % ADAMTS13 activity depicts a group of patients with clinical features similar to TTP patients. Focal motor impairment or epileptic manifestations could further address toward a TTP diagnosis. Studies about treatment efficacy and follow-up are advised to determine whether laboratory findings can guide therapeutic decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Severe deficiency of ADAMTS13 activity leads to von Willebrand factor (VWF) ultralarge multimers with high affinity for platelets, causing thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Other pathological conditions with moderate ADAMTS13 activity exhibit a thrombotic risk. We examined the ADAMTS13 activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and its value as a thrombotic biomarker. Methods: ADAMTS13 activity, VWF antigen and multimeric structure, and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) were measured in plasma samples from 50 SLE patients and 50 healthy donors. Disease activity (systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index; SLEDAI) and organ damage (systemic lupus international collaborating clinics) scores, thrombotic events, antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) were registered. Results: SLE patients showed decreased ADAMTS13 activity and high VWF levels compared with controls (66 ± 27% vs. 101 ± 8%, P < 0.01, and 325 ± 151% vs. 81 ± 14%, P < 0.001). VCAM-1 levels were higher in SLE patients (P < 0.05). Considering three groups of SLE patients depending on ADAMTS13 activity (>60%, 60–40% and <40%), comparative analysis showed significant association between ADAMTS13 activity and SLEDAI (P < 0.05), presence of aPLs (P < 0.001), APS (P < 0.01) and thrombotic events (P < 0.01). Reduced ADAMTS13 activity together with increased VWF levels were especially notable in patients with active disease and with aPLs. Conclusion: ADAMTS13 activity, in combination with other laboratory parameters, could constitute a potential prognostic biomarker of thrombotic risk in SLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complex relation between thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and pregnancy is concisely reviewed. Pregnancy is a very strong trigger for acute disease manifestation in patients with hereditary TTP caused by double heterozygous or homozygous mutations of ADAMTS13 (ADisintegrin And Metalloprotease with ThromboSpondin type 1 domains, no. 13). In several affected women disease onset during their first pregnancy leads to the diagnosis of hereditary TTP. Without plasma treatment mother and especially fetus are at high risk of dying. The relapse risk during a next pregnancy is almost 100% but regular plasma transfusion starting in early pregnancy will prevent acute TTP flare-up and may result in successful pregnancy outcome. Pregnancy may also constitute a mild risk factor for the onset of acute acquired TTP caused by autoantibody-mediated severe ADAMTS13 deficiency. Women having survived acute acquired TTP may not be at very high risk of TTP relapse during an ensuing next pregnancy but seem to have an elevated risk of preeclampsia. Monitoring of ADAMTS13 activity and inhibitor titre during pregnancy may help to guide management and to avoid disease recurrence. Finally, TTP needs to be distinguished from the much more frequent hypertensive pregnancy complications, preeclampsia and especially HELLP (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver Enzymes, Low Platelet count) syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), related to a severe functional deficiency of ADAMTS13 activity (<10% of normal). ADAMTS13 activity is thus crucial to confirm the clinical suspicion of TTP, to distinguish it from other TMAs, and to perform the follow-up of TTP patients. Material and methods We compared the performance of the commercial chromogenic assay Technozym® ADAMTS13 Activity ELISA (chromogenic VWF73 substrate, Chr-VWF73, Technoclone, Vienna, Austria), to that of our in-house FRETS-VWF73 used as reference method. A large group of 247 subjects (30 healthy volunteers and 217 patients with miscellaneaous TMAs) was studied. Results The lower limit of detection of the Chr-VWF73 was 3%, which is well adapted to the clinically relevant threshold for TTP diagnosis (10%). Our results showed a reasonable agreement between FRETS-VWF73 and Chr-VWF73 assays to distinguish samples with an ADAMTS13 activity <10% from those with an ADAMTS13 activity 10%. However, Chr-VWF73 assay provided false negative results in ~12% of acute TTP patients. Inversely, the Chr-VWF73 assay globally underestimated ADAMTS13 activity in detectable values ranging from 11 to 100% (with a great variability compared to FRETS-VWF73), which may be a concern for the follow-up of TTP patients in remission. Conclusion In-house assays developed and performed by expert laboratories remain the reference methods that should be used without limitation to control values provided by commercial assays when needed. Also, the development of an international reference preparation will be crucial to improve standardization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The increased understanding of the pathophysiology of both atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) in recent years has led to significant therapeutic advances for both conditions. These advances have placed an increased emphasis on a more rapid differentiation of both disorders which remain clinical diagnoses. In particular, recent data demonstrating the effectiveness of complement inhibition in patients with aHUS have increased the need for a more rapid and accurate differentiation of aHUS and TTP. Previously utilized criteria have used the presence or absence of neurologic or renal injury and the pretreatment ADAMTS13 activity to differentiate aHUS from TTP. The use of presenting clinical symptoms and findings alone to differentiate these conditions is problematic given their overlapping clinical presentations. Similarly, the use of the pretreatment ADAMTS13 activity alone to differentiate aHUS from TTP is also problematic, and could lead to the inappropriate witholding of plasma exchange (PEX) therapy. However, when used collectively, the pretreatment clinical findings (symptoms and laboratory data) and ADAMTS13 activity in the context of the patient's response to PEX therapy can allow for a more effective differentiation of these two disorders in a timely fashion that will allow for the prompt initiation of the most appropriate therapy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aim: Decreased plasma ADAMTS13 activity (ADAMTS13:AC) results in accumulation of unusually large von Willebrand factor multimers and platelet thrombi formation. Our aim was to evaluate whether ADAMTS13:AC is a prognostic marker in patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods: Plasma ADAMTS13:AC and its related parameters were examined in 108 cirrhotic patients. Results: ADAMTS13:AC decreased as the severity of liver disease increased (means: controls 100%, Child A-cirrhotics 79%, Child B-cirrhotics 63%, and Child C-cirrhotics 31%). ADAMTS13:AC markedly decreased in the cirrhotics with hepatorenal syndrome, refractory ascites and hepatic encephalopathy. The cumulative survival time was the shortest (median: 4.5 months) in the cirrhotics with severe to moderate ADAMTS13:AC deficiency (<3-25%), followed by those with mild ADAMTS13:AC deficiency (25-50%), and was the longest in those with normal activity (>50%). In contrast, based on the Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score, Child C-cirrhotics had the worst survival, but the survival probabilities did not differ between Child A and B cirrhotics. Based on the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, the survival was the worst for the cirrhotics in the fourth quartile, but it was not different among cirrhotics in the first three quartiles. Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis showed that ADAMTS13:AC and serum albumin were independent factors affecting the survival. Conclusions: ADAMTS13:AC concomitantly decreases as the functional liver capacity decreases. This activity may be a useful prognostic marker that is equal or superior to the CTP score and the MELD score to predict not only the short-term prognosis but also the long-term survival of the cirrhotic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin and metalloprotease with a thrombospondin type I domain 13) related markers were measured in the plasma of healthy volunteers and thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) patients including thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) to examine their efficacy in the diagnosis of TTP. The plasma levels of the ADAMTS13 antigen and ADAMTS13-factor XI complex were significantly lower in TMA patients with a significant decreased ADAMTS13 activity (and these patients were considered to have TTP) than in the healthy volunteers. The plasma levels of ADAMTS13 antigens closely correlated with those of ADAMTS13-factor XI complex. Autoantibody for ADAMTS 13 was also positive in almost all TTP patients. In addition, the ratio of von Willebrand factor (VWF)/ADAMTS13 activity was significantly high in TTP suggesting that this ratio might be more useful for the differential diagnosis of TTP than the ADAMTS13 assay alone. These findings suggest that ADAMTS13 related markers are useful for the diagnosis and analysis of TTP. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare disorder of small vessels. TTP is associated with deficiency of the von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease, ADAMTS13, and its inhibitor. Low ADAMTS13 activity is present in most of idiopathic TTP patients. The prognosis of TTP was improved by plasma exchange treatment, which replaces the ADAMTS13 and removes ADAMTS13 inhibitor. However, ADAMTS13 activity is normal in some TTP patients. These are found among the secondary TTP patients associated with collagen disease, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, malignancy, or drugs. In addition, most of them do not respond to plasma exchange. On the other hand, several reports demonstrated that rituximab, which is an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, is effective for refractory TTP cases caused by ADAMTS13 deficiency. It is considered that the effect of rituximab is associated with disappearance of ADAMTS13 inhibitor. However, rituximab therapy was effective for the TTP patients with normal ADAMTS13 activity in our cases. We considered another mechanism of rituximab for TTP cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]