Munich Researchers Open New Perspective for Autoimmune Disease Therapy
Munich, March 5 – An interdisciplinary team from the Medical Clinic and Polyclinic III at LMU Klinikum Munich has for the first time shown that a new form of immunotherapy with bispecific antibodies can specifically eliminate the underlying autoimmune reaction in patients suffering from both Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) and Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS). The results of this groundbreaking treatment were published in the renowned “New England Journal of Medicine.”
A Life-Threatening Combination of Rare Autoimmune Diseases
When two rare autoimmune diseases – Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) and Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) – combine in a patient, it can lead to a life-threatening spiral of severe bleeding and blood clots. ITP causes the immune system to attack its own platelets, leading to spontaneous bleeding. APS, on the other hand, leads to pathological clotting activation and life-threatening thromboses. When both conditions occur together, a dangerous contradiction arises: the body is simultaneously at risk of bleeding to death and forming blood clots. “Such patients present us with extreme medical challenges,” explains Prof. Dr. Karsten Spiekermann, a hemostaseologist at LMU Klinikum.
Novel Immunotherapy Activates Body’s Own T-Cells
In recent years, a special form of immunotherapy – the so-called CAR T-cell therapy – has already shown impressive success in autoimmune diseases. However, this therapy is complex, individually produced, and requires chemotherapy, which can cause infertility and new cancers.
The Munich team, led by Prof. Dr. Marion Subklewe, Dr. Adrian Gottschlich, Prof. Dr. Karsten Spiekermann, and Prof. Dr. Dr. Michael von Bergwelt, used their expertise in T-cell-recruiting immunotherapies to test an alternative, gentler method: the bispecific antibody Blinatumomab. “Bispecific antibodies act like a molecular link between T-cells and disease-causing B-cells,” explains Prof. Marion Subklewe, head of the Immunotherapy focus area at LMU Klinikum. “This allows us to specifically eliminate the cells that produce harmful autoantibodies – completely without chemotherapy.”
Disappearance of Autoantibodies – Stable Platelets
As part of a compassionate-use program, a young female patient with therapy-resistant ITP and APS received two cycles of treatment with Blinatumomab. Shortly after the start of therapy, her platelet count increased, and the previously disease-causing antibodies completely disappeared. “After countless unsuccessful therapy attempts, we were able to gradually discontinue the blood-forming medications for the first time – the platelets remained stable nonetheless,” reports Dr. Adrian Gottschlich, first author of the study. “At the same time, the autoantibodies responsible for both the bleeding tendency and the thromboses disappeared.”
Accompanying laboratory analyses, carried out in cooperation with PD Dr. Rainer Kaiser (Medical Clinic I), also showed that the formation of procoagulant platelets completely normalized after therapy.
Significance for the Future
Since the treatment, the patient has had normal platelet counts and is free of pain, bleeding, and thromboses – and for the first time in years, she was able to start oral anticoagulant therapy and forgo daily subcutaneous injections. This means an enormous gain in quality of life and a return to a normal life. “The data show the enormous potential of targeted immunotherapies in autoimmune diseases,” emphasizes Prof. Dr. Dr. Michael von Bergwelt. “Bispecific antibodies, in particular, open up new, safe therapy options – especially for young patients.”
Explanation of Terms:
Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP)
Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a rare autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys platelets (thrombocytes). Platelets are essential for blood clotting and protection against bleeding. Due to immune-mediated degradation, the number of platelets in the blood drops significantly. This can lead to an increased tendency to bleed, ranging from minor skin or mucosal bleeding to severe, potentially life-threatening bleeding. The disease can be acute or chronic and affects both children and adults.
Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS)
Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) is a systemic autoimmune disease in which the body produces autoantibodies against certain components of cell membranes (phospholipids) or proteins bound to them. These antibodies lead to an increased tendency to blood clot, which can result in thromboses in veins and arteries. In addition, APS is an important cause of pregnancy complications such as recurrent miscarriages. APS occurs in isolation or in connection with other autoimmune diseases, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus or the Immune Thrombocytopenia described above.
Scientific Contact:
Prof. Dr. med. Marion Subklewe
Medical Clinic and Polyclinic III LMU Klinikum München
Campus Großhadern
Email: [email protected]
Dr. med. Adrian Gottschlich
Medical Clinic and Polyclinic III LMU Klinikum München
Campus Großhadern
Tel: +49 89 4400-75210
Email: [email protected]
Original Publication:
Gottschlich A, Bücklein V, El-Marouk V, Kaiser V, Schmid M, Janert TA, Winkelmann M, Ziemann F, Hänel G, Handtke S, Thiele T, Wichmann C, Kobold K, Zugmaier G, Rausch C, Schulze-Koops H, Lindner LH, Spiekermann K, von Bergwelt-Baildon M & Subklewe M Blinatumomab in Combined Immune Thrombocytopenia and Antiphospholipid Syndrome | New England Journal of Medicine, 2026
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMc2516228; https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2516228
Further Information:
https://www.lmu-klinikum.de/newscenter/pressemitteilungen/neue-perspektive-fur-die-therapie-von-autoimmunerkrankungen/7ccf4ec6b592a70f
Source: https://nachrichten.idw-online.de/2026/03/05/muenchner-forscher-eroeffnen-neue-perspektive-fuer-die-therapie-von-autoimmunerkrankungen
