OBJECTIVETo detect desialylation of platelets in primary immune thrombocytopenia(ITP) patients with FITC-labelled ECL and RCA-1, and compare the correlation of the desialylation level and the efficacy of first-line therapy for ITP.

METHODSBefore treatment, 48 ITP patients were selected and their levels of ECL and RCA-1 were detected with flow cytometry.

RESULTSThe desialylation level in the different efficacy groups by using the first-line therapy of corticosteroids and (or) intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG) had a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). The correlation analysis showed negative relation of the therapeutic efficacy with desialylation level, that is to say, the more high of desialylation level, the more poor therapeutic efficacy of the first-line therapy.

CONCLUSIONThe desialylation level of platelets in ITP patients is related with the first-line therapeutic efficacy, the efficacy for patients with high desialylation level is poor, suggesting that the FcR-independent pathway exists in clearance of platelets in ITP patients. Therefore, the desialylation level of platelets may suggest the first-line therapeutic efficacy for ITP patients to a certain degree, and may be used as a potential target for the treatment of refractory ITP.