Affiliation:
1. MarYas Editorial Services
Abstract
Warm autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (wAIHA) is a rare, life-threatening disorder caused by autoantibodies that lead to the premature destruction of erythrocytes (haemolysis). There is currently no licensed targeted therapy for wAIHA. Until recently, there has been little research attention on autoimmune haemolytic anaemias (AIHA), with few developments in the field over the past 20 years. The last 3 years have seen a surge in research interest in wAIHA, with the development of potential new therapies for this rare disorder. For this article, the EMJ conducted an interview in June 2024 with key opinion leader, Bruno Fattizzo, from the University of Milan, and Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy, to raise awareness of wAIHA, and explore recent advancements in research on this disease. Fattizzo, who has a wealth of experience and expertise in the clinical management of wAIHA, provided valuable insights into topics such as the clinical and quality of life (QoL) impact of wAIHA on the patient; current management of wAIHA, including steroids, rituximab, immunosuppressants, splenectomy, anticoagulant prophylaxis, and recombinant erythropoietin; and remaining unmet needs in the disease area. Also discussed were potential future therapies for this autoimmune disorder, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors, neonatal fragment crystallisable receptor (FcRn) inhibitors, and B cell activating factor receptor (BAFF-R) antagonists, and the challenges involved in managing patients with wAIHA. Finally, Fattizzo described the patient experience of living with wAIHA, proposed how best to raise awareness of wAIHA among healthcare professionals, the scientific community, patients, and the public, and outlined what the future of the management of patients with wAIHA might look like.