Project Summary
This project aims to improve outcomes in catastrophic clotting syndromes that are driven by the immune system: heparin induced thrombocytopenia and anti-phospholipid syndrome.
What is the issue for NSW?
Blood clots from heparin induced thrombocytopenia and catastrophic anti-phospholipid syndrome are high cost to the health care system with prolonged hospital stays, requirements for high-cost drugs and scarce resources. Both are driven by the antibodies created by the immune system and have high mortality rates despite our current best treatments. Progression of clotting is often seen in the micro-blood vessels, despite high intensity blood thinning.
What does the research aim to do and how?
This research aims to improve patient outcomes and reduce deaths caused by immune system driven blood clots. This can be achieved by developing improved diagnostics, and treatments that target the cause of the blood clots, not just the consequences. This work also aims to generate biomarkers that will predict non-response to high-cost medications such as eculizumab and IVIg. The findings will be used to further our understanding of other immune driven blood clotting syndromes including sepsis.
This research will:
- Develop new diagnostic tests.
- Identify new treatments for heparin induced thrombocytopenia and anti-phospholipid syndrome.
Collaborating Organisations:
ANZAC Research Institute, Sydney Local Health District
The University of Sydney
The University of New South Wales
Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, NSW Health Pathology.