There is no guaranteed cure for Atypical HUS (aHUS). However, there are a few treatments that succeed, especially in certain types of the disease:
- Plasmapheresis Plasmapheresis is a procedure by which the component of the blood that is called the plasma (which is the liquid component of blood, in which the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are suspended) is removed from the blood and fresh, frozen plasma from a donor is infused into the blood instead. This helps to rid the body of the 'bad' proteins and introduce 'good' proteins. This can be done in India and is practised fairly commonly in all major hospitals.
- Eculizumab Eculizumab (brand name Soliris, manufactured by Alexion Pharmaceuticals, USA) is the most effective drug for aHUS. The results have been very good with almost all types of the disease. The drug is administered intravenously in a hospital and has to be taken multiple times for many months. This drug is not available in India.
- Ravulizumab: This is a new drug from Alexion Pharmaceuticals, USA and is considered the next version of Eculizumab and is currently available only in some countries. The advantage of this drug is the longer duration between two infusions.
- Other Drugs There are several drugs that are in various stages of clinical trials. None have been approved for use yet.
- Supportive Treatment Sometimes, supportive treatment would also need to be administered like dialysis, especially if there has been a delay in diagnosis. In this case, the kidney function may decline to a point that if dialysis (either hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis) may be imperative to make sure there is no threat to life. If the long term treatment outlined above is begun soon and begins to show good results, the supportive treatment can be withdrawn.
