Anti-interleukin-2 receptor antibody (daclizumab) treatment of corticosteroid-refractory autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura

Abstract

We administered daclizumab, a humanized monoclonal anti-interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) antibody, to 11 patients with corticosteroid-refractory autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (AITP) every 2 weeks for five treatments. Of nine evaluable patients, one individual experienced a partial response. Lymphocyte phenotyping by flow cytometry indicated post-treatment binding of IL-2Ra by daclizumab in all patients. Mid-study serum soluble IL-2R levels in all patients increased 4-15 -fold over baseline values (p=0.004). Despite these measurable immunologic effects, blockade of the IL-2/IL-2R axis did not effectively abrogate the autoimmune response in this group of patients with corticosteroid-refractory AITP.