Publications by authors named "Sufia Amini"

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune bleeding disorder with an incompletely understood pathophysiology but includes platelet-clearance in the spleen and liver via T cells and/or platelet autoantibodies. Strikingly, thrombopoietin (TPO) levels remain low in ITP. Platelet-glycoprotein (GP)Ibα has been described to be required for hepatic TPO generation; however, the role of GPIb antibodies in relation to platelet hepatic sequestration and TPO levels, with consideration of platelet counts, remains to be elucidated.

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One possible side effect of thrombopoietin receptor agonists in immune thrombocytopenia is thrombosis. Our aim is to systematically review whether patients with ITP that were treated with a TPO-RA have an increased risk for thrombosis as compared to ITP patients without TPO-RA. Patients in the intervention group were required to receive TPO-RA therapy.

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Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune bleeding disorder. The pathophysiological mechanisms leading to low platelet levels in ITP have not been resolved, but at least involve autoantibody-dependent and/or cytotoxic T cell mediated platelet clearance and impaired megakaryopoiesis. In addition, T cell imbalances involving T regulatory cells (Tregs) also appear to play an important role.

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Antiglycoprotein (anti-GP) antibodies play an important role in the pathophysiology of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). The sequestration pattern of platelets in the spleen and liver can be studied with 111In-labeled autologous platelet scans. No studies have investigated the role of anti-GP antibodies in sequestration patterns in ITP patients.

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Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune bleeding disorder in which, via unresolved mechanisms, platelets and megakaryocytes (MKs) are targeted by autoantibodies and/or T cells resulting in increased platelet destruction and impairment of MK function. Over the years, several therapeutic modalities have become available for ITP, however, therapeutic management has proven to be very challenging in several cases. Patients refractory to treatment can develop a clinically worsening disease course, treatment-induced toxicities and are predisposed to development of potentially life-endangering bleedings.

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Article Synopsis
  • Anti-TNFα agents, like adalimumab, are commonly used to treat diseases such as Crohn's disease but can lead to complications like thrombocytopenia (low platelet count).
  • A case study of a 73-year-old male with Crohn's showed severe thrombocytopenia after starting adalimumab, confirmed by tests revealing specific autoantibodies against platelet receptors.
  • Upon discontinuation of adalimumab, his platelet levels returned to normal, highlighting the importance of monitoring platelet counts in patients on anti-TNFα therapy to avoid serious health risks.
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Background: Patients with immune thrombocytopenia are at risk of bleeding during surgery, and intravenous immunoglobulin is commonly used to increase the platelet count. We aimed to establish whether perioperative eltrombopag was non-inferior to intravenous immunoglobulin.

Methods: We did a randomised, open-label trial in eight academic hospitals in Canada.

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Background:  The Bridging ITP Trial is an open-label randomized trial designed to compare the oral thrombopoietin receptor agonist eltrombopag and intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) for patients with immune thrombocytopaenia (ITP) who require an increase in platelet count before elective surgery. Here, we report the study methods and rationale.

Methods:  We designed a multi-centre, non-inferiority randomized trial comparing daily oral eltrombopag starting 3 weeks pre-operatively, and IVIG administered 1 week pre-operatively for patients with ITP requiring a platelet count increase prior to surgery.

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