Lupus anticoagulant and antiprothrombin antibodies: embracing the future

Abstract

Lupus anticoagulant (LAC) is a well-known laboratory test used to explore potential reasons for the prolongation of phospholipid-dependent coagulation tests. An extended clotting time in a coagulation test typically suggests a bleeding tendency, as the plasma takes longer to clot. However, a positive LAC result, defined as normalization of prolonged clotting time by adding anionic phospholipids in the system, does not necessarily imply this. In fact, quite the opposite is true: a positive LAC often strongly correlates with an increased risk of thromboembolic events. Therefore, despite being conceptually counterintuitive, LAC remains extremely valuable in routine clinical practice for identifying individuals at risk for thromboembolic events. Over the years, various factors have been recognized as potential inducers of LAC, with antiphospholipid antibodies associated with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) playing a significant role. Today, research indicates that, among antiphospholipid antibodies, those targeting plasma proteins β₂-glycoprotein I and prothrombin are central to LAC. This article offers a historical perspective on LAC, emphasizing recent developments in antiprothrombin antibodies, their connection to LAC, and novel detection methods. Our premise is that a deeper understanding of how antiprothrombin antibodies contribute to LAC and the identification of subpopulations of these antibodies potentially responsible for it in thrombotic APS patients could lead to transformative advancements, offering new strategies for risk stratification and personalized treatments for patients with APS and beyond.