Biomarkers and proteomics in ITP
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Immune thrombocytopenia: correlation of clinical features and prediction of risk of recurrence with haemostatic, thrombotic and immunologic markers, and proteomics.
IRAS ID
259932
Contact name
Rashid Kazmi
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospital Southampton
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 31 days
Research summary
Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a condition when the immune system begins to produce antibodies against blood cells called platelets. The main function of platelets is to clot blood although they appear to be involved in a number of other complex processes.
There are two main symptoms of ITP: bleeding and fatigue. As platelets are needed for clotting, the first symptom is understandable. There is no good explanation for fatigue.
Bleeding may occur in up to two-thirds of patients. It typically occurs in the skin or mucous membranes and as a result of this patients develop tiny blood spots under the skin (called petechiae), bruising and nose bleeds. Sometimes bleeding can be severe and can occur in the brain with serious consequences.
Patients with more severely low platelet count are more likely to have serious bleeding than those with higher counts. However, the correlation between platelet count and bleeding risk is weak and patients may not have any bleeding despite severely low platelet count. This remains unexplained and it is possible that that the expression of those proteins that cause blood clotting is increased in patients with ITP patients who do no bleed, thus modifying the effect of low platelets. Other factors such as inflammation may also modify clinical behaviour.
Proteomics can be defined as the overall protein content of a cell at a particular time. It has a growing role in early disease diagnosis, prognosis and to monitor a number of disease development. It also has a vital role in drug development as target molecules.
It is postulated that proteomics in ITP patients will yield information of diagnostic and predictive values. This will be immense value as so far there is no diagnostic test for ITP and it remains a diagnosis of exclusion.
The study will look at the levels of different markers of coagulation and inflammation in patients with ITP to establish a correlation with the clinical behaviour and risk of relapse. Additionally, it will examine the role of proteomics in the diagnosis and risk of relapse.REC name
East of England - Cambridge East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/EE/0243
Date of REC Opinion
6 Nov 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion