Absence of cross-reactivity of SR90107A/ORG31540 pentasaccharide with antibodies to heparin-PF4 complexes developed in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia

New carbohydrate-based anticoagulants devoid of the side effects of unfractionated heparin are currently under development and show a major potential for patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) who still require efficient antithrombotic therapy. As HIT is usually associated with antibodies to heparin-platelet factor 4 (H-PF4) complexes, cross-reactivity of the heparin pentasaccharide SR90107A/ORG31540 was tested in the presence of PF4 with the plasma from 49 patients with HIT. No crossreactivity was observed whatever the pentasaccharide concentrations. Although more extensive studies are required for excluding its total absence of immunogenicity and pathogenicity, this pentasaccharide is a candidate for use in emergency situations in patients with HIT.