{"id":386,"date":"2024-06-02T09:30:01","date_gmt":"2024-06-02T09:30:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/send-email-campaign.eu\/?p=386"},"modified":"2025-02-21T14:40:41","modified_gmt":"2025-02-21T14:40:41","slug":"latest-research-on-antiphospholipid-syndrome-2024-edition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/send-email-campaign.eu\/index.php\/2024\/06\/02\/latest-research-on-antiphospholipid-syndrome-2024-edition\/","title":{"rendered":"Latest Research on Antiphospholipid Syndrome (2024 Edition)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><audio controls><\/audio><\/p>\n<p>The bad news about Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) is that it\u2019s chronic. The good news is that there are quite a number of exciting new treatments in the works. This article is part of the APS resource library that I\u2019m building up on the site for patients, as a patient who has lived with it for more than 20 years myself.<\/p>\n<p>This post will focus on the latest research on Antiphospholipid Syndrome as of 2024, and I aim to update it as frequently as I can. The <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.achronicvoice.com\/antiphospholipid-syndrome-diagnosis-a-to-z-guide\/\">ultimate A to Z resource guide on Antiphospholipid Syndrome<\/a><\/strong> has also been released, so don\u2019t forget to check that out for more in-depth information about APS.<\/p>\n<p><em>*Disclaimer: This article is meant for educational purposes, and is based on my personal experiences as a patient. Whilst I have done my utmost to be meticulous in research, <strong>I am not a doctor, and nothing in this article should be substituted for medical advice.<\/strong> Please consult your own doctor before changing or adding <strong>any<\/strong> new treatment protocols. This post may also contain affiliate links. It will cost you nothing to click on them. I will get a small referral fee from purchases you make, which helps with the maintenance of this blog. Read our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.achronicvoice.com\/privacy-policy\/\">Privacy Policy page<\/a> for more information. Thank you!<\/em><\/p>\n<ul class=\"insightList\">\n<u><strong>Last Updated:<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<li>7 June 2024: Discovery of 2 Missing Enzymes in People with Antiphospholipid Syndrome<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"relatedList\">\n<u>Read Related Posts in the Antiphospholipid Syndrome Diagnosis Series:<\/u><\/p>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.achronicvoice.com\/antiphospholipid-syndrome-diagnosis-a-to-z-guide\/\">Antiphospholipid Syndrome Diagnosis: The A to Z Guide as a Patient<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.achronicvoice.com\/2024\/06\/08\/womens-health-in-antiphospholipid-syndrome\/\">Pregnancy, Miscarriage &#038; Women\u2019s Health in Antiphospholipid Syndrome<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.achronicvoice.com\/2024\/06\/23\/medications-and-antiphospholipid-syndrome-warfarin-enoxaparin-doacs-nsaids\/\">The Lowdown on Medications &#038; Antiphospholipid Syndrome (Warfarin, Enoxaparin, DOACs, NSAIDs &#038; More)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.achronicvoice.com\/2024\/07\/02\/how-does-antiphospholipid-syndrome-affect-the-body-blood-major-organs\/\">How Does Antiphospholipid Syndrome Affect The Body? (Beyond the Blood to Major Organs)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.achronicvoice.com\/2018\/05\/27\/living-with-antiphospholipid-syndrome-personal-experiences\/\">The Annoying Thing About Living with Antiphospholipid Syndrome (My Personal Experiences)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.achronicvoice.com\/2016\/04\/08\/pulmonary-embolism-dvts-antiphospholipid-syndrome\/\">An Experience from Hell: Pulmonary Embolism, DVTs &#038; Antiphospholipid Syndrome<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.achronicvoice.com\/2019\/08\/08\/refused-treatment-hospital\/\">What it Feels Like to be Refused Treatment by a Hospital\u2019s A&#038;E \/ ER<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong class=\"pinTxtCTA\">Pin to Your Antiphospholipid Syndrome &#038; Autoimmune Disease Boards:<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftImgFull\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" data-pin-description=\"Check out the 2024 edition on the latest research into Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS), a rare autoimmune disease that causes the blood to clot. \" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"Check out the 2024 edition on the latest research into Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS), a rare autoimmune disease that causes the blood to clot. \" width=\"350\" height=\"525\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-43042 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/e4edn27usvk.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/latest-research-on-antiphospholipid-syndrome-2024-edition-2-683x1024.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;ssl=1\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightImgFull\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" data-pin-description=\"Check out the latest research on Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS), from diagnosis tools to proteins, NETs, DNA molecules and more.\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"Check out the latest research on Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS), from diagnosis tools to proteins, NETs, DNA molecules and more.\" width=\"350\" height=\"525\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-43045 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/e4edn27usvk.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/latest-research-on-antiphospholipid-syndrome-aps-5-683x1024.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;ssl=1\">\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"personal\"><strong>Personal Research is Important as a Patient<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Before I begin, I just wanted to emphasise that it is important that you do your own research as a patient with Antiphospholipid Syndrome. This can feel like a colossal task in the beginning, with a long list of foods, drinks, medications and activities that you need to moderate. It took me a long time to figure out what works for me through trial and error, often unwittingly. But trust me, you will learn over time, and become more confident with living with this autoimmune disease. Knowledge is power, and doing your own research on Antiphospholipid Syndrome in relation to its impact on your personal life can also help to make you feel more empowered.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><em>\u201cKnowledge is power, and doing your own #research on #AntiphospholipidSyndrome in relation to its impact on your personal life can also help to make you feel more #empowered.\u201d #ChronicIllness #APS<\/em><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.achronicvoice.com%2F2024%2F06%2F02%2Flatest-research-on-antiphospholipid-syndrome%2F&#038;text=%E2%80%9CKnowledge%20is%20power%2C%20and%20doing%20your%20own%20%23research%20on%20%23AntiphospholipidSyndrome%20in%20relation%20to%20its%20impact%20on%20your%20personal%20life%20can%20also%20help%20to%20make%20you%20feel%20more%20%23empowered.%E2%80%9D%20%23ChronicIllness%20%23APS&#038;via=AChVoice&#038;related=AChVoice\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Share on X<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>There are also a few things you can do online to ensure that you don\u2019t miss out on the latest research on Antiphospholipid Syndrome. I personally <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/alerts\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">subscribe to Google Alerts<\/a> for keywords related to: \u201cAntiphospholipid Syndrome\u201d, \u201cLupus\u201d, \u201cautoimmune disease\u201d, \u201cchronic illness\u201d and the likes.<\/p>\n<p>Another tool I use is <a href=\"https:\/\/feedly.com\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Feedly<\/a>, an <a href=\"https:\/\/zapier.com\/blog\/best-rss-feed-reader-apps\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed<\/a>, where I subscribe to specific websites and news to browse through on a daily basis. If you\u2019re curious as to how an RSS feed looks like, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.achronicvoice.com\/feed\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">this is the one for this website<\/a>. You simply need to add the URL to Feedly, and everything published on my blog will be in your reader. The best part is that these tools are free to use, and you can add any other topic that you\u2019re interested in as well!<\/p>\n<p>Finally, I also rely quite a bit on <a href=\"https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Google Scholar<\/a> to learn more about various aspects of Antiphospholipid Syndrome from a medical and scientific perspective. In fact, all of the latest research on Antiphospholipid Syndrome that you will read about in this post can be found on Google Scholar &#8211; so it is indeed possible to keep up with the research on your own, too! There are many websites on \u2018regular\u2019 Google search, but it\u2019s important to note that not all of these sources are verified, whereas articles on Google Scholar are. If you do choose to do your own research via \u2018regular\u2019 Google, do ensure that the source is from an established organisation, such as the NHS or Cleveland Clinic.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"breakdown\"><strong>A Breakdown of the Latest Research on Antiphospholipid Syndrome<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Whilst there are quite a number of promising new research and clinical trials for Antiphospholipid Syndrome, it is still a rare disease that could use more public awareness and research funding. The <a href=\"https:\/\/rheumatology.org\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">American College of Rheumatology<\/a> (ACR) holds an annual convergence that showcases the latest research and knowledge into all areas of rheumatology. Here are the new <a href=\"https:\/\/news.hss.edu\/new-antiphospholipid-syndrome-research-findings-presented-at-acr-convergence-2023\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Antiphospholipid Syndrome findings that were presented at the ACR convergence in 2023<\/a>, and I can\u2019t wait to see what will be shared in the next one in November 2024!<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><em>\u201cCheck out the latest #research on #AntiphospholipidSyndrome, from diagnosis tools to proteins, NETs, DNA molecules and more.\u201d #APS #AutoimmuneDisease #ChronicIllness<\/em><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.achronicvoice.com%2F2024%2F06%2F02%2Flatest-research-on-antiphospholipid-syndrome%2F&#038;text=%E2%80%9CCheck%20out%20the%20latest%20%23research%20on%20%23AntiphospholipidSyndrome%2C%20from%20diagnosis%20tools%20to%20proteins%2C%20NETs%2C%20DNA%20molecules%20and%20more.%E2%80%9D%20%23APS%20%23AutoimmuneDisease%20%23ChronicIllness&#038;via=AChVoice&#038;related=AChVoice\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Share on X<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong class=\"pinTxtCTA\">Pin to Your Antiphospholipid Syndrome &#038; Research Boards:<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"pinBox\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" data-pin-description=\"Get the latest breakdown of the latest research in Antiphospholipid Syndrome - from peptide libraries, to B cells and T cells, neutrophils, Beta-2-Glycoprotein I (\u03b22GPI), aptamers and more.\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"Get the latest breakdown of the latest research in Antiphospholipid Syndrome - from peptide libraries, to B cells and T cells, neutrophils, Beta-2-Glycoprotein I (\u03b22GPI), aptamers and more.\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-43041 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/e4edn27usvk.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/breakdown-latest-research-on-antiphospholipid-syndrome-aps-683x1024.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;ssl=1\">\n<\/div>\n<h3 id=\"peptide\">Peptide Libraries for Diagnosing Antiphospholipid Syndrome<\/h3>\n<p>Let\u2019s begin with exciting new advancements in the diagnosis stage of APS. The current tests available for the detection of autoantibodies that target prothrombin (aPT) are aPS\/PT, and aPT-A assays. However, it has been difficult to standardise their detection in lab tests, due to variability in platforms and protocols.<\/p>\n<p>One new diagnostic tool in the works is a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fimmu.2021.741589\/full\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">novel ELISA assay, ProTS525A-Biot (aPT-Bio)<\/a>. In a study of 27 high-risk APS patients, the ProTS525A-Biot was able to identify 24 triple-positive APS patients. ProTS525A-Biot may also be useful in future for the detection of other prothrombotic conditions apart from APS, such as COVID-19 (Chinnaraj et al., 2021).<\/p>\n<p>Another diagnostic tool in the works is based on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2475037922024621\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"broken_link\">peptide IIa\u20108.0\u2010biot\u20102x<\/a>, which is able to interact with antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) to a much larger extent (Moghbel et al., 2022).<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"BTCells\">Research on B Cells &#038; T Cells in Autoimmune Diseases<\/h3>\n<p>If you live with an autoimmune disease, chances are that you\u2019ve heard of T cells and B cells, and might even have underwent a biologic infusion to try and eliminate them, as they often trigger autoimmune disease activity when they go awry. T cells and B cells are lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.genome.gov\/genetics-glossary\/Lymphocyte\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">As per the National Human Genome Research Institute<\/a>, B cells produce antibodies that target invading bacteria, viruses and toxins, whilst T cells destroy the body\u2019s own cells that have become infected, or have turned cancerous.<\/p>\n<p>There has been some fascinating research into T cells and B cells, although they are still in the preclinical stages. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC10569398\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">According to Taylor et al. (2023)<\/a>:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cOne such therapy is redirecting T cells to selectively kill anti-\u03b22GPI antibody-producing B cells using chimeric autoantigen-TCRs (CATCRs), allowing T cells to bind autoantigen-specific B-cell receptors (BCRs) and induce selective cell death. Other B-cell therapies include monoclonal antibodies to B-cell activating factor (BAFF), which has been shown to exist at higher levels in many types of autoimmune diseases, including APS.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>In brief, T cells and B cells go hand in hand in the body, and targeting one will affect the other for better or for worse. Within the thymus gland, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedaily.com\/releases\/2024\/02\/240221160321.htm\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">B cells play an active role in \u2018training\u2019 T cells<\/a> on which cells to attack, and which to leave alone. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41586-024-07079-8\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">According to Afzali et al. (2024)<\/a> in this latest research paper:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cCD40-induced B cell antigens, which, besides AQP4, comprise additional potentially disease-relevant autoantigens such as Anxa2, App and Cpd. Autoantibodies to ANXA2 and APP are associated with antiphospholipid syndrome and cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related inflammation.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Thus, perhaps future treatments for Antiphospholipid Syndrome might target B cells and T cells more specifically, by \u2018switching off\u2019 the bad stuff whilst leaving the good alone.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"neutrophils\">Disruption of Neutrophilic Involvement in Antiphospholipid Syndrome<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/nri.2017.105\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">According to Papayannopoulos (2018)<\/a>, \u201cNeutrophils are the most abundant innate immune effector cells of the human immune system\u201d, and come with antimicrobials on a broad spectrum. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3439169\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs)<\/a> are a combination of chromatin fibres, DNA and histones, and they play an important role in immobilising and killing invasive microorganisms, thereby protecting against infection. <\/p>\n<p>However, NETS are also sources of autoantigens and immunostimulatory proteins, and can stimulate autoimmune diseases such as Lupus (SLE), vasculitis and psoriasis (Kaplan and Radic, 2012). Apart from that, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S1521661623004771\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">NETs play a role in blood coagulation<\/a> both through platelet and coagulation cascade activation, and can contribute to the formation of both arterial and venous blood clots (Kme\u0165ov\u00e1 et al., 2023).<\/p>\n<p>Clinical trials in Primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome patients with no comorbidities have also shown that these individuals had <a href=\"https:\/\/acrjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/full\/10.1002\/art.42489\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">high levels of anti-NET antibodies<\/a>, which can potentially trigger the complement cascade (Zuo et al., 2023). <a href=\"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/rheumatology\/article\/61\/7\/2993\/6429293\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Another study<\/a> found that APS patients with a high risk of thrombosis had more NETs and activated protein C resistance (Foret et al., 2022).<\/p>\n<p>With <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC10569398\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">NETs being drivers of thromboinflammation in APS<\/a>, research into disruption of this pathway is underway. Two FDA-approved medications with antineutrophilic properties are being studied, as well as selective modulation of immune cell activity. This could potentially result in neutralisation of adhesive properties of cells, thus reducing thrombosis in both arterial and venous vascular beds (Taylor et al., 2023).<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"B2G\">Beta-2-Glycoprotein I (\u03b22GPI) &#038; Future Therapeutic Research in Relation to APS<\/h3>\n<p>There are only three proteins in the body that are able to up and down regulate the complement and coagulation systems, namely: C-reactive protein (CRP), thrombomodulin and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0268960X19300268#bb0240\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Beta-2-Glycoprotein I (\u03b22GPI)<\/a>. \u03b22GPI is a unique five domain protein, and exists in open (J-shaped), S-twisted, and closed (O-shaped) conformations (McDonnell et al., 2020), and <a href=\"https:\/\/ashpublications.org\/blood\/article\/116\/8\/1336\/27914\/2-Glycoprotein-I-can-exist-in-2-conformations\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">according to A\u011far et al. (2010)<\/a>:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cIn contrast to the circular conformation, the open fishhook-like conformation of \u03b22GPI has a profound effect on the aPTT. Therefore, we propose that the conformation of \u03b22GPI in plasma is predominantly circular.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Coagulation from \u03b22GPI is dependent on the surrounding environment, and can have an anticoagulant, antiplatelet and procoagulant effect (McDonnell et al., 2020). <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S1521661623004771\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u03b22GPI is also known to bind to phospholipids and DNA<\/a>, where interactions with DNA further extend to NETs (which we touched on previously) (Kme\u0165ov\u00e1 et al., 2023).<\/p>\n<p>According to McDonnell et al. (2020):<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cThese actions of \u03b22GPI can be influenced by a\u03b22GPI antibodies present in patients with APS and may be potential therapeutic targets. Assays to measure levels of antibodies to \u03b22GPI and to DI show promise in improving diagnosis and risk stratification of patients with APS. A number of proposed therapeutic agents that target \u03b22GPI\/a\u03b22GPI interactions are in development.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>In basic terms, what this means is that \u03b22GPI has implications in coagulation and Antiphospholipid Syndrome. Future therapies may target the blocking of these interactions, in order to reduce the cascade of thrombosis.<\/p>\n<p>One of these new potential therapeutics is A1-A1, which is a peptide that targets the fifth domain of \u03b22GPI, in order to prevent binding to cell surfaces. Another potential therapeutic is TIFI, a cytomegalovirus capsid peptide, which also targets the fifth domain of \u03b22GPI, and might be able to inhibit the thrombotic effects of IgG antibodies.<\/p>\n<p>1N11 is a monoclonal antibody that has also been shown to target \u00df2GP1 to decrease binding of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) to proteins. Recombinant domain I molecule is also able to bind to aPLs, which in turn prevents their adverse effects. Researchers are still trying to understand the full role of \u03b22GPI as well as Antiphospholipid Syndrome. So whilst these therapeutics sound exciting, it will probably still be many years before we see them in practice (McDonnell et al., 2020;  Fierro et al., 2022).<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"aptamers\">Aptamers \/ Next-Generation Thrombin Inhibitor Consisting of DNA Molecules<\/h3>\n<p>Finally, let\u2019s take a look at aptamers. Aptamers are single-stranded oligonucleotides (DNA or RNA molecules) that are capable of binding to proteins or other cellular targets with great specificity (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/B9780124105188000053\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"broken_link\">Arbuthnot, 2015<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3260938\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ni et al., 2011<\/a>). They are small in size, non-immunogenic, and there are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1999-4923\/12\/10\/955\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">different kinds that show promise in a variety of immune related treatments<\/a> &#8211; from antibiotic alternatives, to autoimmune diseases such as Sj\u00f6gren&#8217;s disease, to suppression of tumour growth. The good news is that many of these therapeutic aptamers are in the mid to late stage of clinical trials, and might be ready within 5 &#8211; 10 years (Yasmeen et al., 2020).<\/p>\n<p>In relation to Antiphospholipid Syndrome and its potential complications, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedaily.com\/releases\/2023\/08\/230821114401.htm\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">new DNA drug to fight blood clots<\/a> has been discovered. Heparin is used as an anticoagulation drug in APS patients during emergencies, but up to 3% of patients who are on heparin for various medical reasons develop <a href=\"https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/diseases\/24014-heparin-induced-thrombocytopenia\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">heparin-induced thrombocytopenia<\/a> (HIT), which causes the blood to clot instead. HIT is a life-threatening complication where platelet counts drop, and the patient is at risk of thrombosis. The medications used to treat HIT &#8211; argatroban and bivalirudin &#8211; have no antidotes.<\/p>\n<p>Recently it has been found that the anti-thrombin DNA aptamer, M08s-1, might act as a promising antidote for HIT. It also does not cross over into the placenta of pregnant women. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cell.com\/molecular-therapy-family\/nucleic-acids\/fulltext\/S2162-2531(23)00211-1\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"broken_link\">According to Nagano et al. (2023)<\/a>:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cThe dimerized M08s-1-based aptamers had about 100-fold increased binding affinity to human and mouse thrombin compared with the monomer counterparts.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h3 id=\"MissingEnzymes\">Discovery of 2 Missing Enzymes in People with Antiphospholipid Syndrome<\/h3>\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/ashpublications.org\/blood\/article-abstract\/143\/12\/1193\/514641\/Low-ectonucleotidase-activity-and-increased\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">NaveenKumar et al. (2024)<\/a>:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cMany patients with antiphospholipid syndrome had decreased ectonucleotidase activity on neutrophils and platelets, which enabled extracellular nucleotides to trigger neutrophil-platelet aggregates. This phenotype was replicated by treating healthy neutrophils and platelets with patient-derived antiphospholipid antibodies or ectonucleotidase inhibitors.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.michiganmedicine.org\/health-lab\/helpful-enzymes-vanish-many-patients-antiphospholipid-syndrome\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"broken_link\">Goodwin from Michigan Medicine explains this unexpected research finding in simpler terms here<\/a>. In brief, the enzymes CD39 and CD73 which normally work together to cool down inflammatory molecules known as adenosine triphosphate were not found in patients with APS. This results in instigation of cells like neutrophils and platelets that contribute to the blood coagulation cascade.<\/p>\n<p>NaveenKumar et al. (2024) has also discovered that the receptors P2X7 and P2Y2, which play a role in platelets and neutrophils respectively, are key components in the inflammatory response from the accumulated adenosine triphosphate. Blocking these receptors on cells related to Antiphospholipid Syndrome returned them to a healthy state.<\/p>\n<p>Research such as this matters so much even if there is little funding for research into Antiphospholipid Syndrome specifically. Every bit of knowledge helps medicine to advance as a whole.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"conclusion\"><strong>Conclusion to the Latest Research on Antiphospholipid Syndrome<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Currently the main form of APS management and treatment is with the use of blood thinning medications, which come their own sets of problems. So it\u2019s interesting to see that the future direction of APS treatment delves quite a bit into more targeted therapies on a biological level.<\/p>\n<p>I hope that this peek into the latest research on Antiphospholipid Syndrome has granted you some insight and hope into the possibilities of more effective APS diagnosis, prevention and treatments on the horizon. Perhaps some day, these fantastic researchers and doctors will find a cure as well. For now, take good care of yourself, and keep an eye out for the A &#8211; Z Antiphospholipid Syndrome guide to be released soon!<\/p>\n<p><strong>If you liked this article, <a href=\"https:\/\/eepurl.com\/bVyAbn\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"contentLink\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">sign up for our mailing list<\/a> so you don\u2019t miss out on our latest posts! You will also receive an e-book full of uplifting messages, quotes and illustrations, as a token of appreciation.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"relatedList\">\n<u>Read Related Posts:<\/u><\/p>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.achronicvoice.com\/chronic-illness-quotes\/\">Chronic Illness Quotes to Inspire, Motivate, Grieve, Hope &#038; Laugh About<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.achronicvoice.com\/2021\/07\/14\/body-gone-rogue-invisible-illness\/\">12 Visible Evidence of a Body Gone Rogue (Is Invisible Illness Truly Invisible?)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.achronicvoice.com\/2024\/02\/12\/things-to-do-on-digital-devices-after-knee-surgery-part-2-5\/\">Fun &#038; Productive Things to Do on Digital Devices After Knee Surgery<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.achronicvoice.com\/2024\/02\/12\/useful-things-to-do-while-on-bed-rest-after-surgery-education-advocacy-volunteering-part-5-5\/\">Useful Things to Do While on Bed Rest After Surgery: Education, Advocacy &#038; Volunteering<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.achronicvoice.com\/2022\/06\/13\/loss-of-identity-self-worth\/\">Loss of Identity with Chronic Illness &#038; The Plot Twist: Sharpened Self-Worth<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong class=\"pinTxtCTA\">Pin to Your Latest Research on Antiphospholipid Syndrome Boards:<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftImgFull\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" data-pin-description=\"Read all about the exciting new research on Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) on the horizon. Check out the discoveries that have been made in medicine and science, and clinical trials underway.\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"Read all about the exciting new research on Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) on the horizon. Check out the discoveries that have been made in medicine and science, and clinical trials underway.\" width=\"350\" height=\"525\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-43044 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/e4edn27usvk.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/latest-research-on-antiphospholipid-syndrome-aps-3-1-683x1024.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;ssl=1\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightImgFull\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" data-pin-description=\"Read about the latest findings in medical research with regards to Antiphospholipid Syndrome - a blood clotting disorder and autoimmune disease that can have systemic effects.\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"Read about the latest findings in medical research with regards to Antiphospholipid Syndrome - a blood clotting disorder and autoimmune disease that can have systemic effects.\" width=\"350\" height=\"525\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-43043 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/e4edn27usvk.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/latest-research-on-antiphospholipid-syndrome-2024-edition-683x1024.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;ssl=1\">\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"insightList references mb10\">\n<h3 style=\"margin:0;font-size:13px;text-decoration:underline\">References:<\/h3>\n<li>Afzali, A. M., Nirschl, L., Sie, C., Pfaller, M., Ulianov, O., Hassler, T., &#8230; &#038; Korn, T. (2024). B cells orchestrate tolerance to the neuromyelitis optica autoantigen AQP4. <em>Nature, 627<\/em>, 407-415. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41586-024-07079-8\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41586-024-07079-8<\/a><\/li>\n<li>A\u011far, \u00c7., van Os, G. M., M\u00f6rgelin, M., Sprenger, R. R., Marquart, J. A., Urbanus, R. T., &#8230; &#038; de Groot, P. G. (2010). \u03b22-Glycoprotein I can exist in 2 conformations: implications for our understanding of the antiphospholipid syndrome. <em>Blood, The Journal of the American Society of Hematology, 116<\/em>(8), 1336-1343. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1182\/blood-2009-12-260976\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1182\/blood-2009-12-260976<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Arbuthnot, P. (2015). Chapter 5 &#8211; Delivery of Antiviral Nucleic Acids with Nonviral Vectors. <em>Gene Therapy for Viral Infections.<\/em> 127-150. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/B978-0-12-410518-8.00005-3\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/B978-0-12-410518-8.00005-3<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Chinnaraj, M., Pengo, V., &#038; Pozzi, N. (2021). A novel ELISA assay for the detection of anti-prothrombin antibodies in antiphospholipid syndrome patients at high risk of thrombosis. <em>Frontiers in Immunology, 12,<\/em> 741589. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fimmu.2021.741589\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fimmu.2021.741589<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Cleveland Clinic. (2022). <em>Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia.<\/em> Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved from: <a href=\"https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/diseases\/24014-heparin-induced-thrombocytopenia\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/diseases\/24014-heparin-induced-thrombocytopenia<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Fierro, J. J., Vel\u00e1squez, M., Cadavid, A. P., &#038; de Leeuw, K. (2022). Effects of anti\u2010beta 2\u2010glycoprotein 1 antibodies and its association with pregnancy\u2010related morbidity in antiphospholipid syndrome. <em>American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, 87<\/em>(1), e13509. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/aji.13509\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/aji.13509<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Foret, T., Dufrost, V., Salomon du Mont, L., Costa, P., Lakomy, C., Lagrange, J., &#8230; &#038; Wahl, D. (2022). A new pro-thrombotic mechanism of neutrophil extracellular traps in antiphospholipid syndrome: impact on activated protein C resistance. <em>Rheumatology, 61<\/em>(7), 2993-2998. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/rheumatology\/keab853\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/rheumatology\/keab853<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Goodwin, V. (April 18, 2024). Helpful enzymes vanish in many patients with antiphospholipid syndrome. <em>Michigan Medicine<\/em>. Retrieved from: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.michiganmedicine.org\/health-lab\/helpful-enzymes-vanish-many-patients-antiphospholipid-syndrome\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"broken_link\">https:\/\/www.michiganmedicine.org\/health-lab\/helpful-enzymes-vanish-many-patients-antiphospholipid-syndrome<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Hospital for Special Surgery. (2023). <em>New Antiphospholipid Syndrome Research Findings Presented at ACR Convergence 2023.<\/em> Hospital for Special Surgery. Retrieved from: <a href=\"https:\/\/news.hss.edu\/new-antiphospholipid-syndrome-research-findings-presented-at-acr-convergence-2023\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/news.hss.edu\/new-antiphospholipid-syndrome-research-findings-presented-at-acr-convergence-2023\/<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Kaplan, M. J., &#038; Radic, M. (2012). Neutrophil extracellular traps: double-edged swords of innate immunity. <em>The Journal of Immunology, 189<\/em>(6), 2689-2695. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4049\/jimmunol.1201719\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4049\/jimmunol.1201719<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Kme\u0165ov\u00e1, K., Lonina, E., Yalavarthi, S., Levine, J. S., Hoy, C. K., Sarosh, C., &#8230; &#038; Knight, J. S. (2023). Interaction of the antiphospholipid syndrome autoantigen beta-2 glycoprotein I with DNA and neutrophil extracellular traps. <em>Clinical Immunology, 255<\/em>, 109714. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.clim.2023.109714\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.clim.2023.109714<\/a><\/li>\n<li>McDonnell, T., Wincup, C., Buchholz, I., Pericleous, C., Giles, I., Ripoll, V., &#8230; &#038; Rahman, A. (2020). The role of beta-2-glycoprotein I in health and disease associating structure with function: More than just APS. <em>Blood reviews, 39<\/em>, 100610. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.blre.2019.100610\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.blre.2019.100610<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Moghbel, M., Roth, A., Baptista, D., Miteva, K., Burger, F., Montecucco, F., &#8230; &#038; Brandt, K. J. (2022). Epitope of antiphospholipid antibodies retrieved from peptide microarray based on R39\u2010R43 of \u03b22\u2010glycoprotein I. <em>Research and Practice in Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 6<\/em>(7), e12828. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/rth2.12828\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/rth2.12828<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Nagano, M., Kubota, K., Sakata, A., Nakamura, R., Yoshitomi, T., Wakui, K., &#038; Yoshimoto, K. (2023). A neutralizable dimeric anti-thrombin aptamer with potent anticoagulant activity in mice. <em>Molecular Therapy-Nucleic Acids, 33<\/em>, 762-772. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.omtn.2023.07.038\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.omtn.2023.07.038<\/a><\/li>\n<li>National Human Genome Research Institute. (2024). <em>Lymphocyte<\/em>. National Human Genome Research Institute. Retrieved from: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.genome.gov\/genetics-glossary\/Lymphocyte\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.genome.gov\/genetics-glossary\/Lymphocyte<\/a><\/li>\n<li>NaveenKumar, S. K., Tambralli, A., Fonseca, B. M., Yalavarthi, S., Liang, W., Hoy, C. K., Sarosh, C., Rysenga, C. E., Ranger, C. H., Vance, C. E., Madison, J. A., Orsi, F. A., Sood, S. L., Schaefer, J. K., Zuo, Y., &#038; Knight, J. S. (2024). Low ectonucleotidase activity and increased neutrophil-platelet aggregates in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome. <em>Blood, 143<\/em>(12), 1193\u20131197. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1182\/blood.2023022097\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1182\/blood.2023022097<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Ni, X., Castanares, M., Mukherjee, A., &#038; Lupold, S. E. (2011). Nucleic acid aptamers: clinical applications and promising new horizons. <em>Current medicinal chemistry, 18<\/em>(27), 4206-4214. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2174\/092986711797189600\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2174\/092986711797189600<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Papayannopoulos, V. (2018). Neutrophil extracellular traps in immunity and disease. <em>Nature Reviews Immunology, 18<\/em>(2), 134-147. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/nri.2017.105\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/nri.2017.105<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Taylor, A., Kumar, S., &#038; Pozzi, N. (2023). Forecasting the Future of Antiphospholipid Syndrome: Prospects and Challenges. <em>Missouri Medicine, 120<\/em>(5), 359-366. Retrieved from: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/37841574\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/37841574<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Technical University of Munich (TUM). (2024). Possible trigger for autoimmune diseases discovered : B cells teach T cells which targets must not be attacked. <em>ScienceDaily<\/em>. Retrieved from: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedaily.com\/releases\/2024\/02\/240221160321.htm\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.sciencedaily.com\/releases\/2024\/02\/240221160321.htm<\/a><\/li>\n<li>University of Tokyo. (2023). A new DNA drug to fight blood clots. <em>ScienceDaily.<\/em> Retrieved from: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedaily.com\/releases\/2023\/08\/230821114401.htm\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.sciencedaily.com\/releases\/2023\/08\/230821114401.htm<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Yasmeen, F., Seo, H., Javaid, N., Kim, M. S., &#038; Choi, S. (2020). Therapeutic interventions into innate immune diseases by means of aptamers. <em>Pharmaceutics, 12<\/em>(10), 955. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/pharmaceutics12100955\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/pharmaceutics12100955<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Zuo, Y., Navaz, S., Tsodikov, A., Kmetova, K., Kluge, L., Ambati, A., &#8230; &#038; Branch, D. W. (2023). Anti\u2013Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Antibodies in Antiphospholipid Antibody\u2013Positive Patients: Results From the Antiphospholipid Syndrome Alliance for Clinical Trials and International Networking Clinical Database and Repository. <em>Arthritis &#038; Rheumatology, 75<\/em>(8), 1407-1414. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/art.42489\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/art.42489<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The bad news about Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) is that it\u2019s chronic. The good news is that there are quite a number of exciting new treatments in the works. This article is part of the APS resource library that I\u2019m building up on the site for patients, as a patient who has lived with it for [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":388,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[14],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/send-email-campaign.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/386"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/send-email-campaign.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/send-email-campaign.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/send-email-campaign.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/send-email-campaign.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=386"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/send-email-campaign.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/386\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":387,"href":"http:\/\/send-email-campaign.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/386\/revisions\/387"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/send-email-campaign.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/388"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/send-email-campaign.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=386"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/send-email-campaign.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=386"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/send-email-campaign.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=386"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}