Rethinking antiphospholipid syndrome to guide future management and research

Abstract

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) consists of thrombotic, non-thrombotic and obstetric clinical manifestations developing in individuals with persistent antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). Although researchers have made progress in characterizing different clinical phenotypes of aPL-positive people, the current approach to clinical management is still mostly based on a ‘one size fits all’ strategy, which is derived from the results of a limited number of prospective, controlled studies. With the 2023 publication of the ACR–EULAR APS classification criteria, it is now possible to rethink APS, to lay the groundwork for subphenotyping through novel pathophysiology-informed approaches, and to set a future APS research agenda guided by unmet needs in clinical management. In this Review, Knight and Erkan consider how the 2023 ACR–EULAR classification criteria for antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) can guide future research to subphenotype APS by understanding its pathophysiology, paving the way for the personalized and proactive management of individuals with APS.