Aspirin for Prophylaxis of TTP

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare and life-threatening thrombotic microangiopathy characterized by thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and microvascular thrombosis causing neurological and renal abnormalities; it is associated with massive depletion of platelets in the microvasculature to form microthrombi1 . Long-term follow-up of patients with congenital TTP (cTTP) revealed frequent strokes and renal injury. Of 217 surviving patients, 62 (29%) had a stroke; the median age was 21 years. iTTP patients also require long-term follow-up. iTTP patients with low ADAMTS13 activity (\<70%) in remission have a 28% risk of stroke. Survival rates of iTTP patients in remission were lower than those of age-, race-, and sex-matched populations. In terms of stable treatment, maintenance therapy is not recommended for patients with iTTP. Previous studies have shown that aspirin may be able to prevent stroke complications in patients with cTTP and iTTP. In addition to its potential efficacy, the risks of aspirin are small and inexpensive. Aspirin is very effective in secondary prevention of stroke 6. However, the therapeutic value of aspirin in TTP has not been studied previously. To improve the prognosis and survival of patients with cTTP and iTTP, we propose to conduct a prospective study to observe the efficacy and safety of aspirin in patients with cTTP and iTTP in remission.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare, life-threatening thrombotic microangiopathy. It is characterized by thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and microvascular thrombosis causing neurologic and kidney abnormalities . TTP is caused by a severe deficiency of ADAMTS13 (A Disintegrin and Metalloprotease with ThromboSpondin type 1 repeats, member 13) . Severe ADAMTS13 deficiency can be hereditary (hTTP), caused by biallelic pathogenic mutations of the ADAMTS13 genes, or acquired (iTTP), caused by anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies. Its main diagnostic criterion is a severe deficiency of ADAMTS13 (activity \<10%) .

hTTP is currently managed by prophylaxis with plasma infusions. Because lifetime plasma infusions are a major lifestyle burden, the current practice is to begin prophylaxis when ischemic symptoms occur. Evaluation of plasma prophylaxis by the International Hereditary Registry reported that it was not effective for decreasing the occurrence of acute episodes. When recombinant ADAMTS13 (rADAMTS13) is commercially available, prophylaxis may begin sooner and be more effective. Acute episodes of iTTP are effectively treated with ADAMTS13 replacement and immunosuppression. During remission, immunosuppression is recommended to prevent relapse if ADAMTS13 activity is \<20%. If ADAMTS13 activity is less than normal but ≥20%, no treatment is recommended.

Long-term follow-up of patients with hTTP has identified the frequent occurrence of stroke and kidney injury. Among 217 patients who survived infancy, 62 (29%) had had a stroke; the median age was 21 years. Long-term follow-up is also required for patients with iTTP. iTTP patients with low ADAMTS13 activity (\<70%) during remission have a 28% risk for stroke. Survival of iTTP patients in remission is less than the age, race, and gender-match population. No maintenance treatment is recommended for patients with iTTP.

Severe ADAMTS13 deficiency in patients with TTP allows the circulation of ultra-large multimers of von Willebrand factor (VWF). Turbulent circulation causes exposure of the VWF platelet binding site. Binding of the platelet VWF receptor, GPIbα, to the ultra-large VWF multimers is the essential initial which step for the initiation of thrombosis. A recent study documented that platelet binding to von Willebrand factor activates the platelet fibrinogen receptor, αIIbβ3, initiating platelet aggregation. Aspirin blocks αIIbβ3 activation and prevents platelet aggregation. Studies of TTP in mice have documented that aspirin decreases thrombosis. These data suggest that it may provide protection against stroke in patients with hTTP and iTTP. In addition to its potential efficacy, aspirin has minimal risks, and it is inexpensive.

Aspirin is very effective for the secondary prevention of stroke. However, the therapeutic value of aspirin in TTP has not previously been studied.

To improve the prognosis and survival of patients with hTTP and iTTP, we propose to conduct a prospective study to observe the efficacy and safety of aspirin in patients with the iTTP and hTTP in remission.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Those who voluntarily signed the informed consent form and were able to comply with the study protocol.
2. Subjects diagnosed with severe ADAMTS13 deficiency, defined as ADAMTS13 activity \<10%, documented in the patient's medical history or at screening. Note: In patients receiving fresh frozen plasma (FFP) or other prophylactic treatments containing ADAMTS13 products, plasma ADAMTS13 activity levels at screening may exceed 10%. hTTP will be documented by ADAMTS13 activity \<10% and biallelic pathogenic ADAMTS13 mutations. Patients with hTTP may be asymptomatic. iTTP will be diagnosed by ADAMTS13 activity \<10% and the presence of an ADAMTS13 activity inhibitor (or comparable test for anti-ADAMTS13 antibodies). The diagnosis of hTTP may be supported by the recovery of ADAMTS13 activity to \>10% during clinical remission.
3. Subjects do not exhibit any severe symptoms of TTP at the time of screening. At screening, patients with mild but stable laboratory abnormalities (LDH not higher than three times the upper limit of normal; platelet count not less than 100,000/microliter) are eligible for enrollment.
4. No stroke was detected on cranial MRI and there was no previous history of stroke.
5. The subject is willing and able to comply with the requirements of this protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Subject has a history of significant neurological events, such as a major stroke, indicating that a relapse may have serious consequences, as judged by the investigator
2. Subject has increased risk for bleeding (e.g., platelet count \<30,000/µL, severe coagulopathy, gastrointestinal disease)
3. Subject has a history of drug and/or alcohol abuse within six months before enrollment.
4. Subject has a life expectancy of fewer than three months.
5. The investigator considers the subject unable or unwilling to cooperate with the study procedures.
6. The subject is a family member or employee of the investigator.
7. The patient is pregnant or breast-feeding.