Treatment of immune thrombocytopenia with intravenous immunoglobulin and insights for other diseases

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4414/smw.2012.13593

Introduction

Immune thrombocytopenia ITP is a rare bleeding disorder characterised by antibody or immune complex mediated platelet destruction and disturbed platelet production. The platelet counts are below 100x10⁹/l. The degree of bleeding and the bleeding risk vary individually from none to life-threatening. Spontaneous, severe bleeding occurs in patients with less than 10x10⁹/l. The duration of the disorders may be transient, persistent (3–12 months) or chronic (>12 months).

Until 1980 the classic management mainly consisted of treating bleeding episodes with corticosteroid treatments. In patients with refractory ITP, splenectomy, immunosuppressive or cytostatic treatments on a personalised medical basis were indicated.

The key observation of treatment of ITP with intravenous immunoglobulin G

At the end of the year 1979, at the University Children’s Hospital in Bern, we observed in a child with Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome, a rare recessive x-linked disease with hypogammablobulinaemia-associated infections and thrombocytopenia, that intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) substitution increased his platelet counts. This observation provided the impetus to use IVIG in a 12-year-old boy with severe, refractory ITP who developed secondary hypogammaglobulinaemia and recurrent infections with lymphocytopenia after long term treatment with corticosteroids, vincristine, cyclophosphamide and other immunosuppressive drugs. In 1980 we administered the newly available IVIG. After the first infusion of 0,4 g /kg body weight, his platelet count increased within 24 hours and continued to increase upon administration of four additional, daily IVIG infusions (fig. 1, patient 1) [1].

Figure 1

Pilotstudy 1 with controls. Response rate of IVIG during the first 80 days, 20 days respectively, of observation. Patient 1 is the key patient with ITP and secondary hypogammaglobulinaemia. Patients 2–4 with ITP, but with normal serum IgG levels. Patients 5 and 6 with aplastic anaemia and no response to IVIG.

Arrow means 0.4 g IVIG per kilogram body weight/day. Serum IgG in mg% (© Imbach P, Barandun S, Baumgartner C, Hirt A, Hofer F, Wagner HP. High‑dose intravenous immunoglobulin therapy of refractory, in particular idiopathic thrombocytopenia in childhood. Helv Paediat Acta. 1981;46:81–6. Reprinted with kind permission).

With this observation additional 3 children with ITP, but without hypogammaglobulinaemia, and 2 children with aplastic anaemia and low platelet counts received the same doses of IVIG as the first patient. Within 5–10 days the platelet counts of the children with ITP rose to 300–650x10⁹/l and could be maintained at normal levels with one IVIG administration every 1–3 weeks. In the 2 children with aplastic anaemia no platelet count increase was observed whatsoever (fig. 1). Consequently a pilot study in 13 consecutive children with newly diagnosed or chronic ITP showed similar platelet increases (fig. 2) [2]. On this basis the first randomised multicenter study comparing corticosteroid and IVIG administration was initiated in children with ITP. The results confirmed that IVIG is an effective therapy for increasing platelet counts in ITP [3].

Retrospectively we found out, that a similar effect of gammaglobulin was observed before 1980. A child with ITP under corticosteroid treatment became infected with varicella in 1964 and received standard gammaglobulin intravenously as a treatment against varicella and showed an increase in platelet counts [4]. In 1978, two adult patients with agammaglobulinaemia developed hemolytic anaemia and thrombocytopenia – well known complications of agammaglobulinaemia – which subsided under intense substitutive treatment with standard gammaglobulin [5].

In 1982, confiramtion of this new IVIG treatment was published in adults with ITP, by Fehr et al. [6], in 1983, by Newland et al. [7], in 1984 in children and adults with ITP, by Bussel et al. [8]; and by many others, later on.

IVIG treatment of ITP evoked huge numbers of laboratory studies concerning the mechanisms of actions of IVIG and clinical trials in other inflammatory and autoimmune diseases with similar immune pathogenesis (see chapter below). As of today over 34,000 articles on IVIG treatments and its immunomodulatory effects are listed in Pubmed.

History of IVIG

In 1946, at Harvard Medical School, Cohn et al. [9] separated blood plasma or serum by 8% ethyl alcohol into protein and lipoprotein fractions. By further fractionation, in using a status of low pH, gammaglobulin could be extracted beside prothrombin, isoagglutinin, plasminogen and other components [10].

Figure 2

Pilotstudy 2:(A) 7 patients with chronic or intermittent ITP, (B) 6 patients with newly diagnosed ITP. All, consecutive patients with primary ITP demonstrated increases of platelet counts. Arrows indicate IVIG 0,4 g/kg body weight/day (© Imbach P, Barandun S, d’Apuzzo V, Baumgartner C, Hirt A, Morell A, et al. High-dose intravenous gammaglobulin for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in childhood. Lancet. 1981;1:1228–31. Reprinted with kind permission).

When the gammaglobulin, also named “immune serum globulin ISG”, was administered intravenously, aggregated IgG contained therein caused severe adverse reactions, whilst the subcutanteous administration route of the same preparation was well tolerated.

In 1962, Barandun et al. [11] identified the anticomplementary activities of IgG aggregates as the main cause of the side effects of ISG administration. The anticomplementary activitiy of the IgG aggregates could be reduced by enzymatic treatment of the purified immunoglobulin preparations using pepsin, trypsin, or plasmin digestion or chemical modification of gammaglobulin, all of which avoided aggregate formation. As a consequence of such modifications, however, the products were rapidly removed from the circulation by the reticulo endothelial system [12] and their intended complement-activating capacity once bound to the cognate antigen was impaired as were some other important biological functions.

The fortuitous observation of acidification by pH 4 at the Central Laboratory of the Swiss Red Cross, Bern, led to a reduction in anticomplementary effects in ISG without impairing the IgG functions [13, 14].

Other processes of purification of the IgG preparation on the basis of methods by Kistler and Nitschmann [15] led to the unmodified, mono- or dimmer immunoglobulin and was renamed “intravenous immunoglobulin, IVIG”.

Properties of IVIG

Intravenous immunoglobulin is extracted from pooled plasma from 10,000 to 60,000 blood or plasma donations. The final product of antibody concentrate encompasses several millions of antibody specificities, mainly natural antibodies and anti-idiotypic antibodies [16]. Antibody specificities contained in few contributing donations to the pool become diluted, common antibodies become enriched. The characteristics of the different IVIG products are summarised in ref. [17].

The safety of IVIG is controlled by an ongoing and careful selection and deferral of donors, and by testing and validation of donated blood, and plasma. During production of each IVIG lot different viral inactivation methods decrease the risk of transmission of infection [18, 19]. The last outbreak of hepatitis C caused by an IVIG product due to inappropriate virus inactivation dates back to 1993 [20]. An overview on the specific aspects of plasma-derived biologicals and their safety aspects are given in [12].

Adverse effects of IVIG occur in about 5% of individuals [21] and may be reduced by lowering the infusion rate. The symptoms mostly are benign, consisting of chills, headache, myalgia, nausea and fever. Acute aseptic meningitis after IVIG is infrequent and transient [22]. Thrombo-embolic events (i.e. stroke [23]) are associated with high osmolality of the solution and the serum viscosity of the recipient [24]. Each IVIG product has its own characteristics that may affect tolerability and adverse effects [12].

Possible mechanisms of action of IVIG

The mechanisms of action are still incompletely understood. While overviewing the nearly 500 articles listed in Pubmed on the mechanisms of action we may recognise that after IVIG administration synergistic changes of the different immune components (fig. 3) favourably impact on inflammatory and/or immunopathological backgrounds (for details see [25, 26]).

Figure 3

Synergistic (arrows) interactions after IVIG administration.

From left to right hand side: – Immune complex formation, activation of dendritic cells and their Fc receptors; – Antiplatelet T-cell reactivity, suppression of T cells, cytokine release and increase of T regulatory cells; – Downregulation of B-cells and anti-idiotypic antibodies; – Blockade of Fc receptors by IVIG; Complement binding/clearing Apoptosis and Fas inhibition (modified from © Imbach P, Lazarus A, Kühne T. Intravenous immunoglobulins induce potentially synergistic immunomodulations in autoimmune disorders. Vox Sanguinis. 2010;98:385–94. Reprinted with kind permission).

Figure 4

Total world consumption of IVIG: currently the IVIG production exceed 100 tonnes per year (published in International Blood/Plasma News (ibpn), ©The Marketing Research Bureau Inc., Orange CT 40677 (mrb_ibpn@earthlink.net). Reprinted with kind permission).

Blockade of Fc receptors by IVIG

Firstly Fehr et al. reported competitive downregulation of the Fc receptor mediated phagocytosis by IVIG using clearance analysis of autologous 99m labelled platelets and anti-Rhesus D sensitised erythrocytes in adults with ITP, who were treated with IVIG. He observed platelet increase and marked prolongation of clearance time of erythrocytes [6].

The intravenous administration of Fc-g fragments of IgG demonstrated similar increases of platelets counts and an increase of soluble Fc-g receptor III (sCD 16) in a study of eleven children with newly diagnosed ITP supporting the Fc-g blockade and other immunomodulatory effects of IVIG [27]. In an in vitro study IVIG inhibited interferon-g signalling in macrophages which is dependent on Fc-g receptor III – a well known activity receptor [28].

In 2001, Samuelson in Ravetch’s group, New York, demonstrated, that Fcgamma RIIB – the only inhibitory Fc-receptor on macrophages – are upregulated by IVIG, which resulted in downregulation of phagocytosis and no decrease of platelet counts in mice treated with antibodies against platelets [29].

Chang observed reversal of vaso-occlusive crisis in sickle cell mice after inhibition of neutrophil adhesion via FcR blocking by IVIG [30].

Anti-idiotypic antibodies and downregulation of B-cells

A patient with aquired FVIII autoantibody and severe bleeding and successful IVIG treatment from our hospital [31] has been discussed by Nydegger, working in the hematologic department for adults of our hospital, with Kazachkine and his group in Paris. They could demonstrate anti-idiotypic antibodies in IVIG against FVIII which may neutralise the specific autoantibody [32, 33]. The group could also detect other anti-idiotypic antibodies in IVIG (against thyroglobulin, DNA, peripheral nerve, acetylcholine receptor, endothelial cells and others [33]). Later on, Berchtold et al also could demonstrate anti-idiotypic antibodies against GPIIB/IIIA in ITP [34].

In 1991 Kondo et al described suppression of immunoglobulin production including pathologic autoantibodies by B cells as well as downregulation of antigen presenting cells via their Fc receptors after IVIG administration [35].

In addition IVIG impinge on the cytokine network, the anti-B cell activating factors of the TNF-family (BAFF) and the antiproliferation-inducing-ligand (APRIL). For example anti-BAFF antibodies in IVIG prevents the apoptotic effects on B-cells and the overproduction of BAFF and APRIL, which is over-expressed in autoimmune diseases and lymphoid malignancies [36].

Antiplatelet T-cell reactivity, suppression of T cells, cytokine release and increase of T regulatory cells

In 1991 Semple et al. in Toronto observed T-cell differences [37, 38] and in 1996 differences of cytokine levels between patients with acute and chronic ITP [39]. Kessel et al. recently discovered that IVIG increases T regulatory cells and their suppressive functions [40]. Ephrem et al. demonstrated prevention of experimental autoimmune encephalitis by IVIG on the basis of expansion of T regulatory cells [41].

Immune complex formation, activation of dendritic cells and their Fc receptors

In recent years Crow and Lazarus et al focused their research of the mechanisms of action of IVIG on the early stages of the immune response. IVIG forms dimers, multimers and possibly immune complexes with proteins, microorganisms, virus infected cells, pathogenic antigens and other foreign particles [42, 43], which activates dendritic cells (Nobel Prize in Medicine 2011 to the dendritic cell discoverer, Ralph Steinmann). In ITP such bindings directly prime dendritic cells [44]. They also play an integral role with T-cells and anti-inflammatory cytokines [45].

Neonatal Fc receptors FcRn – responsible for maintaining IgG levels in the fetus [46] – are competitively saturated by IVIG causing clearance of antibodies including pathogenic antibodies [47, 48].

In contrast IgG glycoforms may play a role in modulation antibody effector function in vivo. Glycosyliation by binding of glycan on IgG of its fragment with peptide-N-glycosidase or neuramidase results in blocking FcRn binding, unchanged serum half life of IgG and no anti-inflammatory activity [49, 50].

On the other hand suppression of autoantibodies induced inflammation by IVIG may be triggered by sialic acid Fc treated dendritic cells or macrophages, which induces IL-33 production (TH-2 cytokine) and IL-4 producing basophiles. IL-33 and IL-4 producing basophiles increase the expression of the inhibitory Fc-g receptor IIB. Thus, sialic Fc particles may stabilise the immune homeostasis [51].

Complement binding/clearing

Complement attenuation by IVIG have been reported in complement dependent autoimmune diseases by Lutz et al. [52] and by Basta et al. [53]. Platelets express an intrinsic capacity to interact with and trigger both classical and alternative pathways of complement [54].

Apoptosis and Fas inhibition

Viard showed that IVIG contains Fas antibodies which block Fas-Fas ligands and inhibits epidermal necrolysis [55].

ITP as model of IVIG treatment in other immune related disorders, in inflammatory and autoimmune disorders

On the basis of the synergistic mechanisms of action various immune related disorders with similar pathogenesis as ITP have clinically been studied using IVIG (table 1; for detailed information see ref. [56–59]).

As in ITP the heterogeneity of autoimmune disorders are based on variations from patient to patient, the age, the disease stage, the duration of the disease and from other factors. Therefore, not many controlled studies exist and the off-label uses of IVIG remain frequent.

The total world consumption of IVIG is still increasing (fig. 4). Before 1980 the indications of gammaglobulin/IVIG were primary and secondary immune deficiencies and severe infections only and the worldwide production was 300 kg – currently, the IVIG production exceeds 100 tonnes per year (fig. 4).

New developments and research in ITP

As can be seen, ITP and the majority of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disorders are burdened with complex immunopathological and clinical heterogeneities. In addition the innumerable antibody specificities in IVIG concentrate and their complex interactions with the immune system (fig. 3), all contribute to the moderate progress in understanding the management of immunologic diseases. Drawing up evidence based clinical indications is often difficult. Treatment recommendations, guidelines [60–62] and harmonisation of terminology [63] are, therefore, welcome for the prescribing physician.

In recent years the importance of pathologic platelet production due to autoantibodies against megakaryocytes in ITP [64] and the new possibility of stimulation of platelet production by thrombopoietin receptor agonists (for review see [65]) may challenge the progress of management – at least in patients with severe refractory, chronic ITP. The new treatment rationale is based on profound, controlled clinical studies of selected patient cohort, done by the pharmacologic industry. Thrombopoietin receptor agonists stimulate megakaryocytes and the platelet increase in peripheral blood circulation appears 5–8 days after beginning the treatment. However, as soon as the administration of thrombopoietin receptor agonists is withheld, the majority of patients drop their platelet counts to baseline levels. In patients with chronic ITP and continuous risk of bleedings the new treatment modality probably has to be given for undetermined duration. The questions of long term adverse effects (mainly thrombo-embolic events and bone marrow fibrosis) of thrombopoietin receptor agonists are not yet answered. Long term observations and registries of patients under thrombopoietin receptor agonist are requested. The new treatment possibility with its time lag of platelet increase may change the management strategy of prevention of bleeding in chronic ITP, while in patients with ITP and acute bleeding IVIG administration characterised by the rapid platelet increase will remain the indication for stopping bleeding.

In general, rare disorders demand prospective evidence based studies. Such studies are complex asking for various endpoints, need high number of patients and are expensive. As a first step in this direction we established the International Cooperative ITP Study (ICIS) group in 1997: An international network of physicians and scientists collaborate in performing prospective databases and studies (see http://www.itpbasel.ch ) that may elucitate the natural history of ITP and define less heterogeneous patient subgroups for controlled treatment and management trials. The first results of ICIS are promising after registration of more than 6000 patients from 70 centres worldwide (published articles see http://www.itpbasel.ch ).

The ongoing long term Pediatric and Adult Registry of Chronic ITP (PARC ITP) focuses on the mentioned endpoints. In addition genetics, co-morbidities, management and adverse effects of treatment will be studied. The intitial data comparison between more than 2000 adults and children of the PARC Registry demonstrated, that there are significant similarities between the two groups, i.e. concerning initial platelet counts [66]. This is in contrast to published data in the past.

Conclusion

Over three decades disease treatments using IVIG have opened the discussion of efficacious immune modulation in patients with inflammatory and autoimmune disorders which are characterised by wide ranging heterogeneity. The complex mechanisms of immunomodulation by IVIG provoke continuous clinical and laboratory research with the aim to find more evidence related indication for the biologic product. ITP was not only the first, but still remains a valuable model in this direction.

Acknowledgment: The author thanks Urs Nydegger, Bern, for his reading and corrections of this manuscript.

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