Current status and future prospects for the treatment of antiphospholipid syndrome

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a prothrombotic disease characterized by thrombosis and pregnancy morbidity in the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (apL). Management of thrombosis is based on long-term oral anticoagulation and patients with arterial events should be treated aggressively. Primary thrombo-prophylaxis is recommended in patients with systemic lupus erythromatosus (SLE) and obstetric APS. Obstetric APS care is based on high-risk management and treatment with aspirin and heparin. Possible future therapies include statins, hydroxychloroquine, rituximab, and new anticoagulant drugs. Current research is focused on targeting components of the complement system, interfering with aPL-mediated cell activation and using tailored peptides to block the pathogenic subpopulation of aPL.