Introduction
Inherited platelet disorders (IPDs) comprise a heterogenous group of more than 60
rare bleeding disorders with abnormal platelet function and/or low platelet count.
The true prevalence is unknown, but estimation is at least 2.7 cases per 100,000.[1]
[2]
IPDs are characterized by highly variable clinical presentation and prognosis. Clinical
complications range from almost negligible to life-threatening. Some manifest as isolated
platelet disorders, while others are associated with a variety of other abnormalities
(syndromic), and still others predispose to the development of hematological malignancy
and bone marrow aplasia.[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
IPDs may remain unnoticed for many years with up to 60% of cases with proven platelet
defects that cannot be assigned to any pre-described IPD.[6] Moreover, genotype–phenotype correlation of different types of mutations is mostly
poorly defined.[7]
Typical clinical symptoms of IPDs are mucocutaneous bleeding including epistaxis,
oral cavity bleeding, purpura, hematomas, and heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB). In case
of trauma and surgical intervention, clinically relevant bleeding and blood loss may
occur unexpected and independent of platelet count.[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
Although many efforts have been made on diagnosing and characterizing IPDs and “new
disorders” are identified on a regular and frequent basis, therapeutic options for
the prevention and treatment of bleeding due to IPDs remain limited.
Since 2014, the THROMKIDplus working group of the “Gesellschaft für Thrombose- und
Hämostaseforschung e.V.” (GTH) aims to develop and distribute useful guidelines for
the diagnosis as well as treatment of platelet disorders.[8] This article updates previous information and presents current knowledge on treatment
options, which are supplemented by clinical scenarios that need specific measures.
For treatment details including dosing, readers are referred to the AWMF guideline
on treatment of platelet disorders (AWMF S2K guideline #086–004; www.awmf.org).[9]
Current Treatment Options
General Considerations
Today any possible effort to achieve the classification of the underlying platelet
defect, including molecular genetic testing, is imperative to guide clinical management.
For adequate prevention and treatment of bleeding, a distinction between IPDs with
mere platelet function defect and those with (additional) low platelet count is important
([Table 1]).
Table 1
Overview of IPDs mentioned in this article
Disease
|
Gene
|
Underlying defect (size of thrombocytes: small [S], normal [N], large [L]), main features
|
Bleeding tendency
|
Nonsyndromic
IPDs with
normal
platelet count and abnormal platelet function
|
Glanzmann thrombasthenia
|
ITGA2B, ITGB3
|
Platelet receptor defect (N), bleeding tendency
|
Variable, but likely severe
|
Nonsyndromic
IPDs with
low
platelet count
|
Bernard-Soulier syndrome
|
GP1BA, GP1BB, GP9
|
Platelet receptor defect (L), bleeding tendency
|
Variable, but likely severe
|
Platelet-type von Willebrand disease
|
GP1BA
|
Platelet receptor defect (L), platelet count may decrease under stress conditions
|
Absent to mild
|
Syndromic
IPDs with
normal
platelet count
|
Chediak-Higashi syndrome
|
LYST
|
δ-Granule secretion defect (N), immunodeficiency with predisposition to recurrent
infections, risk of accelerated phase of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, oculocutaneous
albinism
|
Mild to moderate
|
Syndromic
IPDs with
low
platelet count
|
WAS
|
WAS, WIPF1
|
Cytoskeleton defect (S), immunodeficiency, eczema, lymphoproliferative and autoimmune
disorders
|
Variable
|
X-linked thrombocytopenia
|
WAS
|
Cytoskeleton defect (S), mild form of WAS
|
Absent to moderate
|
CAMT
|
MPL
|
Defect of megakaryopoiesis (N), progression to aplastic anemia
|
Variable
|
MECOM-related thrombocytopenia
|
MECOM
|
Defect of megakaryopoiesis (N), radioulnar synostosis, potential renal or cardiac
anomalies, risk of sensorineural hearing loss
|
Severe
|
Thrombocytopenia with absent radii
|
RBM8A
|
Defect of megakaryopoiesis (N), bilateral absence of radius w/o other skeletal abnormalities,
potential kidney, cardiac or central nervous system anomalies
|
Severe
|
THPO-related thrombocytopenia
|
THPO
|
Defect of megakaryopoiesis (N), biallelic mutations resemble CAMT
|
Severe
|
IPDs with
low
platelet count and
predisposition to malignancy
|
FPD with propensity to AML
|
RUNX1
|
Defect of megakaryopoiesis (N), high risk (ca. 40%) of developing acute myeloid leukemia
or myelodysplastic syndrome
|
Absent to moderate
|
Thrombocytopenia type 2
|
ANKRD26
|
Defect of megakaryopoiesis (N), risk (ca. 10%) of developing myeloid neoplasms
|
Absent to mild
|
Thrombocytopenia type 5
|
ETV6
|
Defect of megakaryopoiesis (N), predisposition (ca. 30%) to acquired lymphoid, myeloid,
and myeloproliferative syndromes
|
Absent to mild
|
Abbreviations: AML, acute myeloid leukemia; CAMT, congenital amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia;
FPD, familial platelet disorder; IPDs, inherited platelet disorders; WAS, Wiskott-Aldrich
syndrome.
Table 2
Future directions of management of inherited platelet disorders
What we have to do in the future
|
Decrease the rate of unidentified but suspected platelet defects
• 60% of suspected cases remain poorly described/classified
|
Introduce general use of bleeding scores to assess individual bleeding tendency
|
Develop escalating treatment strategies for prevention and treatment of bleeding episodes
|
Include patients with IPDs and bleeding in clinical trial programs
|
Establish registries to elucidate the clinical course of IPDs
|
Develop and adapt laboratory tests to monitor treatment success beyond clinical assessment
|
Identify and publish centers with expertise in advanced platelet diagnostics and IPD
genetic testing
|
Ameliorate training of pediatric hematology/oncology treatment centers to increase
awareness of IPDs versus other entities, especially those with low platelet count
including chronic ITP
|
Abbreviations: IPDs, inherited platelet disorders; ITP, immune thrombocytopenia.
Many commonly used drugs affect platelet function and should be avoided including
frequently prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, particularly acetylsalicylic
acid and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.[1]
[2]
[3]
[10] Selective COX-2 inhibitors without effect on platelet function may be used for pain
control, but are approved for use only from the age of 16 years.[11]
Testing for iron-deficiency anemia in patients with frequent bleedings should be performed
on a regular basis.[12] Adequate treatment is provided by oral and/or intravenous iron supplementation.[12]
A good dental hygiene is essential to prevent gum bleeding and tooth loss.[2]
[13] Recommended vaccinations should not be withheld but administered preferentially
subcutaneously whenever approved.[14] As with other hemorrhagic disorders, children and families should be trained to
avoid bleeding and carry an identification card with them bearing information about
their medical condition.[3]
[15]
Local Hemostatic Treatment
Topical hemostatic measures are considered first-line treatment, irrespective of the
underlying pathology. Mechanical hemostats include foams, sponges or gauze soaked
with porcine gelatins, bovine collagen or oxidized regenerated cellulose, and polysaccharide
spheres. Further biologically active hemostats with human, bovine, or recombinant
thrombin are available. Fibrin sealants, tissue adhesives, and topical tranexamic
acid (TXA) are successfully used in bleeding disorders.[3]
[16]
[17]
[18] Chitosan-covered gauze is an efficient local treatment option in postpartum hemorrhage
and proved to support wound healing.[19]
[20]
Tranexamic Acid
TXA inhibits activation from plasminogen to plasmin and thus inhibits fibrinolysis
and supports clot formation. TXA administered parenterally, locally, or as mouth wash
is generally recommended in IPDs. Combination with other hemostatic treatment options
including recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa), and desmopressin (DDAVP), and
long-term therapy is recommended and reasonable in selected cases. Occasionally, headache
or gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may occur.[21] TXA is contraindicated in patients with a history of or in acute arterial or venous
thrombosis, in severe renal insufficiency, and should not be given to patients with
bleeding in the urogenital region or the pleural space, because of increased risk
of insoluble hematomas.[22] TXA can cause postoperative seizures, especially in cardiac surgery patients, and
is therefore contraindicated in patients with a history of seizures.[23]
Desmopressin
DDAVP is a synthetic analog of the antidiuretic hormone l-arginine vasopressin, and has an antidiuretic but not a vasoconstrictive effect.
DDAVP develops its hemostatic effect by increasing levels of von Willebrand factor
(VWF), Factor VIII, and platelet adhesiveness, although its exact mechanisms remain
unknown.[3]
[15]
[24]
[25]
[26] In patients with IPDs, DDAVP induces the formation of procoagulant platelets.[27] Repeated administration leads to prompt decrease in response of the hemostatic effect
(tachyphylaxis).[3]
[15]
[24]
[25]
[26]
Since the 1980s, DDAVP has been successfully used for the treatment of mild to moderate
hemophilia A and von Willebrand disease type 1. Subsequently, the spectrum of clinical
applications has been expanded to platelet disorders, especially storage pool diseases,
where efficacy was demonstrated in some, but not all, cases.[3] DDAVP is usually considered ineffective in patients with Glanzmann thrombasthenia
(GT) and Bernard-Soulier syndrome (BSS).[3]
[28]
[29] There is only poor evidence to support testing DDAVP responsiveness in patients
with IPDs.[16]
[29]
Due to its effect on fluid retention and consecutive hyponatremic seizures, monitoring
of vital functions and sodium plasma levels is indicated and fluid intake should be
restricted. According to the AWMF guidelines on the treatment of IPDs (AWMF S2K guideline
#086–004; www.awmf.org), DDAVP is not recommended in children younger than 3 years or in children with seizures
in their history. The same applies for pregnant women and many other patients with
cardiac and vascular conditions.[3]
[15]
[16]
[25]
[29]
Transfusion of Platelet Concentrates
Platelet concentrates (PCs) are commonly administered to prevent and treat bleeding
in IPDs with severe bleeding phenotype. At least in acquired thrombocytopenia, recent
data have highlighted uncertainties in the risk–benefit ratio ([Fig. 1]).[30] In neonates, it has been shown that liberal transfusion of PCs increases the risk
of hemorrhage and mortality.[31]
[32] Using PCs bears an inherent risk of alloimmunization, transfusion-transmitted infections,
and allergic reactions.[1]
[3]
[15]
[16]
[25]
[33] PCs can be obtained either from apheresis (single donor) or from pools of buffy-coats
(four to six donors).[33] In IPDs, PCs from a single-donor, leukocyte depleted, and, if available, human leukocyte
antigen (HLA)-matched are preferred due to a lower risk of immunization.[1]
[3] After administration of PCs, the platelet count should always be reevaluated.
In GT and BSS patients, platelets are deficient in specific glycoproteins (GPs), so
patients are at risk to develop antibodies against GPs (in GT: anti-GP IIb/IIIa, in
BSS: anti-GP1b/IX) and become refractory to PCs.[3]
[34] In GT patients, a past history of immunization, GT type 1, and female sex might
increase the risk of immunization against GPIIb/IIIa and favor therapy with rFVIIa
over PCs.[35] In the presence of platelet antibodies, an increased dose of PCs in combination
with rFVIIa or VWF may control bleeding.[25] In case of high urgency, immunoadsorption is another method to reduce antiplatelet
antibodies.[35]
[36]
[37] Flow cytometric analysis of GPIIb (IIb integrin)/GPIIIa (CD41/CD61) and GPIbα (CD42b),
respectively, is recommended for monitoring the presence of transfused platelets.[8] Three months after receiving a PC, testing for platelet-specific antibodies is highly
recommended.[16]
[25]
Recombinant Activated FVII (Eptacog Alfa and Eptacog Beta)
Eptacog alfa develops its procoagulant activity through a tissue factor dependent
and independent thrombin burst.[15] It is approved for GT with or without antibodies to GP IIb/IIIa (integrin) and with
past or present refractoriness to platelet transfusions. In 2018, the European Medicines
Agency (EMA) extended the approval for those patients when platelets are not readily
available.[25]
[38] Its off-label use has shown benefits in patients with BSS,[39]
[40] storage pool diseases,[40] platelet type von Willebrand disease,[41] and thrombocytopenia with absent radii (TAR) syndrome.[42]
Eptacog beta has been approved for the treatment of hemophilia A and B with inhibitors
in July 2022 in Europe. So far, no reports on its use in IPDs have been published.
In case of acute bleeding in patients with IPDs, of the aforementioned treatment options,
local measures and TXA are the first choice. If bleeding cannot be adequately controlled,
PCs and rFVIIa are options for further therapy escalation. PCs should be administered
restrictively in patients with GT and BSS due to the risk of platelet antibody formation.
DDAVP should not be administered in case of severe bleeding and should be administered
only after a trial.
Thrombopoietin Receptor Agonists
The two thrombopoietin receptor agonists, eltrombopag and romiplostim, are currently
approved for immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), thrombocytopenia in adult patients with
hepatitis C infection, and severe aplastic anemia in adults.[43] Both drugs have shown effects in IPDs. For further details, readers are referred
to the article Thrombopoietin receptor agonists for treatment of thrombocytopenias
in pediatrics in the next issue of the journal.
Splenectomy
Splenectomy is generally not recommended.
In Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) and X-linked thrombocytopenia, microplatelets and
thrombocytopenia are caused by sequestration in the spleen.[7]
[45]
[46] After splenectomy, platelet size and count normalize, leading to a significant reduction
of bleeding episodes.[46] Also in WAS, splenectomy should be performed very cautiously to avoid aggravation
of infectious risk and impaired recovery following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell
transplantation (HSCT).[47]
Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
HSCT is a curative treatment option for some IPDs but due to associated risks, including
development of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), graft rejection, infections, and
toxicities, it is reserved for selected patients.[48]
HSCT should be considered in the presence of severe bleeding tendency, as in GT[49]
[50]
[51]
[52]
[53] and BSS[54] with refractoriness to platelet transfusion.
Furthermore, HSCT should be considered in syndromic IPDs, in which bleeding tendency
is mild to moderate and other symptoms predominate.
In WAS, immunodeficiency and often severe symptoms of autoimmune response call for
early HSCT. In fact, HSCT should already be considered at the time of diagnosis, as
it should ideally be performed in children younger than 2 years, before disease progresses.[3]
[55]
[56]
Patients with Chediak-Higashi syndrome, particularly those with lacking cytotoxic
T-lymphocyte function, are at risk of developing hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.
In such cases, early HSCT should be considered.[57]
[58]
[59]
[60]
Patients with congenital amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia usually develop bone marrow
failure within the first decade of life. They can be cured by HSCT. In contrast, a
subgroup of patients with mutations in the gene encoding thrombopoietin does not benefit
from HSCT.[45]
[61]
[62]
[63]
[64]
MDS1 and EVI1 complex locus–associated syndrome manifests as congenital radioulnar
synostosis and amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia progressing to pancytopenia and can
be cured by HSCT.[65]
[66]
HSCT should also be considered for IPDs with a known risk for development of malignancy.
Among those are germline autosomal dominant mutations in RUNX1 (familial platelet
disorder with propensity to acute myeloid leukemia), ANKRD26 (thrombocytopenia type
2), and ETV6 (thrombocytopenia type 5).[67] As bleeding tendency is mild, and platelet number is only slightly reduced, these
entities may be overlooked or even misdiagnosed as ITP. Once malignancy develops,
HSCT may become necessary.[1]
[68]
[69]
[70]
[71]
Gene Therapy
Gene therapy is based on transfer of genetic material into the cells of patients,
and various types of gene therapy have led to therapeutic breakthroughs in different
diseases.[72] It is a potential alternative to HSCT for patients with WAS lacking a suitable donor.
Furthermore, gene therapy requires a less toxic conditioning scheme and the risk of
GvHD, and rejection is reduced compared with HSCT.[7]
[72] So far, across the spectrum of IPDs, the only approach that has reached clinical
stages of development is autologous hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy in WAS.[73]
[74]
[75]
[76]
[77]
In a phase I/II pilot trial in 10 patients with WAS, a gamma-retroviral vector was
used.[73] Results showed a good response in terms of reduction of infections and of clinical
signs of autoimmunity (autoimmune cytopenia, colitis, eczema), and elevation of platelet
count in nine out of ten patients. However, vector-mediated insertional mutagenesis
led to the development of acute leukemia in seven out of ten patients.[73] As a consequence, subsequent trials used a self-inactivating lentiviral vector.
A long-term follow-up over 4 to 9 (median: 7.6) years after gene therapy within an
open-label, phase I/II clinical trial found resolution of severe infections and eczema,
improvement of autoimmune disorders, and bleeding frequency.[75] Notably, there was no occurrence of malignancy. Even though platelet number was
under normal threshold levels and platelet size was still smaller and showed decreased
α-granule density in six out of nine patients after gene therapy, none of the patients
needed PCs. Despite incomplete correction of the platelet compartment, no spontaneous
bleeding occurred.[74]
[75]
[76]
[77]
Up to now, only one patient has undergone successful gene therapy in an adult age,
for whom no donor for HSCT could be found.[78]
There are promising preclinical studies and animal models for gene therapy in GT.
Fang et al showed in a murine and a canine model that infusion of ex vivo lentiviral
transduced hematopoietic stem cells resulted in circulating platelets with approximately
10% of normal integrin (αIIbβ3) levels, which was enough for the improvement of hemostasis.[75]
[79]
[80]
Special Recommendations for Women with IPDs
Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
HMB is a common complaint in female adolescents. In 10 to 62%, there exists an underlying
bleeding disorder, in up to 44% of IPD.[81]
[82] TXA is considered the first choice of treatment in women with HMB, in the case of
acute intervention, as well as long-term treatment in women who seek to conceive.[11]
[83] If TXA alone is insufficient, a combination with DDAVP may be considered, but it
is not recommended in the case of major blood loss.[11] In patients who do not want to conceive, menorrhagia should be controlled by hormones.
Among all options, a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device (LNG-IUD) is the
most effective therapy.[11]
[84] If LNG-IUD is contraindicated or objected by the patient, combined oral contraceptives
(COC) are suggested. If hormonal treatment fails or is insufficient, combination with
TXA is recommended and is particularly effective in patients with GT and BSS.[11]
[83] Surgical options like endometrial ablation or hysterectomy should be considered
only if the earlier-mentioned medical therapies fail and there is no desire to conceive
in the future (see [Fig. 2]).[11]
[83]
Fig. 2 Therapeutic algorithm of heavy menstrual bleeding in women with inherited platelet
disorders. *Progestogens: systemic high dose, continuous or cyclical progestogen,
depot, or implant. COC, combined oral contraceptives; HMB, heavy menstrual bleeding;
IPD, inherited platelet disorder; LNG-IUD, levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device;
rFVIIa, recombinant activated factor VII; TXA, tranexamic acid; vWF, von Willebrand
factor.
Risk Management in Pregnancy
Women with IPDs with previous menorrhagia, who stop taking COC to conceive, are at
high risk of developing HMB in the prepregnancy period.[85] Treatment options include TXA and rFVIIa.[85] Particularly in women with GT, but also with BSS, PCs should be avoided in order
not to increase the risk of platelet antibody formation.[85]
[86] Platelet antibodies can cross the placenta, causing fetal or neonatal harm.[85]
[86]
[87] Neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia may occur in up to 30% of newborns of mothers
with GT.[88] Thus, before and during pregnancy, antibodies should be monitored. In case of high
levels, intravenous immunoglobulins and/or corticosteroids should be considered during
pregnancy.[85]
[86]
Potential Future Treatments of IPDs
Artificial Platelets
In a first-in-human trial, pluripotent stem cells were generated from a patient's
peripheral blood and differentiated into immortalized megakaryocyte progenitor cell
lines. A clone of those was then induced to produce pluripotent stem cell–derived
platelets (iPSC-PLTs), which were successfully transfused for treating severe aplastic
anemia in a 55-year-old woman without complications when followed up for 1 year.[89] This trial of iPSC-PLTs administration not only showed promising results but raised
expectations to generate HLA-class-I–depleted platelets or gene-corrected platelets
as well.[89]
[90]
[91]
Platelet-Inspired Nanoparticles
The surfaces of nanoparticles and microparticles (liposomes, latex beads, and albumin-based
microparticles) are modified with platelet surface-relevant ligands and GPs to support
various platelet mechanisms. For example, micro- or nanoparticles are coated with
fibrinogen, GPIbα and recombinant GPIa/IIa, collagen-binding peptide, and von Willebrand
binding peptide. Results from in vitro and animal models are encouraging.[19]
[92]
[93]
[94]
[95]
HMB-001
HMB-001 is a bispecific antibody that binds endogenous FVIIa and platelet triggering
receptor expressed on myeloid cells (TREM)-like transcript-1 receptor, which is present
on the surface of activated platelets. Thereby HMB-001 promotes local FX activation
and thrombin generation and thus restores clot formation in patients with GT and BSS.[96]
Various Other Therapies to Achieve Hemostatic Correction
Tissue factor pathway inhibitors (TFPIs) influence the early stages of blood coagulation.
Anti-TFPIs include concizumab, marstacimab, and befovacimab and have been evaluated
for use in patients with hemophilia.[97]
[98]
[99] Fitusiran is a small interfering RNA therapy that reduces antithrombin production,
resulting in less bleeding episodes in hemophiliacs.[100] In contrast to activated factor VII, which leads to an instant thrombin burst, all
these new drugs develop their effect on coagulation continuously. Severe bleeding
in IPDs occurs frequently in women taking hormones. All of these may increase the
risk of thromboembolic events during long-term prophylaxis. So far, TFPIs and fitusiran
are still in clinical development stages and there are no reports on their use in
IPDs.