Concurrent intravenous immunoglobulin and platelet transfusion for refractory alloimmune thrombocytopenia in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND

Severe refractory alloimmune thrombocytopenia is a challenging and life-threatening complication in patients with hematologic disorders who are undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. This study aimed to investigate the utility of continuous intravenous immunoglobulin and platelet transfusions as a therapeutic approach for alloimmune thrombocytopenia in patients undergoing allogeneic transplants.

METHODS

A single-center retrospective analysis was conducted of ten adult allogeneic transplant patients hospitalized with transfusion-refractory alloimmune thrombocytopenia. Intravenous immunoglobulin (2 g/kg) was administered as a slow continuous infusion over 48 h along with a continuous apheresis platelet infusion (one apheresis unit over eight hours). Clinical response was defined as the resolution of bleeding or patients being able to undergo the required procedure without bleeding complications.

RESULTS

The median time after the transplant was 27.5 (range: 7-299) days. Myeloablative and reduced-intensity conditioning were performed in 5 (50 %) and 5 (50 %) patients, respectively. The median platelet count at the time of infusion was 4.5 × 109/L. All patients were able to achieve clinical response with the median maximum platelet count within ten days of the infusion being 41.0 × 109/L. The median time to best response was three days with a median platelet count of 27.0 × 10⁹/L.

CONCLUSIONS

Continuous intravenous immunoglobulin and platelet infusions over 48 h may be able to overcome life-threatening refractory alloimmune thrombocytopenia in transplant patients and may provide a bridging measure until platelet engraftment or for life-threatening hemorrhage or invasive procedures with high bleeding risk.