Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a disorder where the body's immune system attacks its own red blood cells. It can cause anemia, which is a decrease in red blood cells. There have been a few new medications developed in recent years that have shown promise in treating AIHA.
Subtitle: New Drugs for Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
The most recent drugs approved for AIHA treatment are eculizumab (Soliris) and ravulizumab (Ultomiris). Both medications work by binding to a protein on the surface of red blood cells, which prevents them from being destroyed by the immune system. Eculizumab was approved in 2017 and ravulizumab in 2020.
Rituximab (Rituxan) is a biologic therapy that has been used to treat AIHA for several years. It is a monoclonal antibody that targets B-cells, which are the cells that produce antibodies that attack red blood cells in AIHA.
Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) is an immunosuppressant that has been used to treat AIHA for many years. It works by suppressing the immune system so it does not attack the red blood cells.
Corticosteroids such as prednisone or dexamethasone are often used to treat AIHA. They work by suppressing the immune system so it does not attack the red blood cells.
IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin) is a blood product that contains antibodies from donors that can help suppress the immune system. It has been used to treat AIHA for many years.
The newest medications have shown promising results in treating AIHA. However, there is still no definitive answer to the question of which medication is best for AIHA. Each patient’s response to treatment will be different, so it is important to work with a doctor to find the best treatment plan.
