IL-10 and IL-17 expression by CD4 T cells is altered in corticosteroid refractory immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).

Background: Corticosteroids remain the first-line treatment for patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). However, 20% to 30% of patients do not respond to treatment at tolerable doses. This variation in corticosteroid efficacy is replicated in other autoimmune diseases and may have an adaptive immune basis.