title: Therapy for thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura: past, present, and future.
abstract: While clinical recognition of thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura (TTP) has been evident for almost 90 years, the pathological basis of this disorder has only, relatively, recently been elucidated. Consequently, options for treating TTP had evolved rather slowly for many years. Despite this, current treatment practices of intensive plasma exchange often with immune modulation have seen survival rates increase dramatically. Nevertheless, the current understanding of TTP may witness the cusp of a new era for this disorder, with new and emerging treatments nearing clinical practice that specifically target the root cause of TTP. Some of these targeted approaches may even see the beginning of plasma-free treatments for TTP, with potentially faster recoveries and fewer long-term adverse effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Pathology NSW, John Hunter Hospital, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Kent
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Calvary Mater Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Sam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yuen
mesh_terms: D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D010951:Plasma Exchange / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends*; D011697:Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / Q000266:history / Q000628:therapy*