Autoimmune Cytopenias

A team of investigators in China conducted an in vitro and murine study to evaluate whether the hypomethylating agent decitabine, used for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome, can help to restore immune tolerance in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). They report that in the current study, low-dose decitabine “promoted the generation and differentiation of regulatory T (Treg) cells and augmented their immunosuppressive function,” and “alleviated thrombocytopenia and restored the balance between Treg and helper T (Th) cells in active ITP mice,” with this effect of restored CD4+ T-cell subpopulations offset by Treg depletion.