Cold agglutinin-mediated autoimmune hemolytic anemia

Abstract

Cold antibody types account for about 25% of autoimmune hemolytic anemias. Primary chronic cold agglutinin disease (CAD) is characterized by a clonal lymphoproliferative disorder. Secondary cold agglutinin syndrome (CAS) complicates specific infections and malignancies. Hemolysis in CAD and CAS is mediated by the classical complement pathway and is predominantly extravascular. Not all patients require treatment. Successful CAD therapy targets the pathogenic B-cell clone. Complement modulation seems promising in both CAD and CAS. Further development and documentation are necessary before clinical use. We review options for possible complement-directed therapy.

Keywords: Autoimmune hemolytic anemia; B lymphocytes; Cold agglutinin; Cold agglutinin disease; Cold agglutinin syndrome; Complement; Lymphoproliferative disorders; Therapy.