Cold Agglutinin Disease
New cold agglutinin disease research, summarized each month in plain language.
2026 so far: So far in 2026 (January to September), real-world reports linked sutimlimab to rapid improvement in hemoglobin and hemolysis, while some cold-triggered circulation symptoms continued or worsened; rituximab-based regimens also improved hemolysis in small cohorts. Read the 2026 review
We also cover clinical trials.
Yearly update
2026 so far
- Sutimlimab in practice. Routine-care data added detail on benefits, while symptom and safety signals also appeared.
- Rituximab-based therapy. Small cohorts and case reports described hemolysis responses and important side effects.
- Managing severe episodes. Case reports described how teams stabilized crises while immune treatments began to work.
- Diagnosis and labeling. Consensus guidance and deeper testing showed why some cases get re-categorized.
- Outcomes and clots. One center reported long-term outcomes and clot-related observations.
New
September 2026
- Rituximab-based therapy. Hemolysis often improved, but low white blood cell counts were common.
- Sutimlimab circulation symptoms. Small reports linked it to worse cold-related color changes.
- Warming during procedures. Strict warming supported a procedure without signs of hemolysis.
August 2026
- Quick hemolysis control. Reports often showed sutimlimab quickly lowering red blood cell breakdown.
- Remission after stopping. Some reports described remission continuing after sutimlimab was stopped.
- Sutimlimab plus rituximab. A small series used sutimlimab together with rituximab.
- Infant genetic testing. In one infant, exome testing identified two inherited disorders, one of them affecting the immune system.
July 2026
- Shared lab criteria. Experts outlined a common lab approach to confirm CAD.
- Warm blood samples. Keeping samples warm may prevent misleading test results.
- Procedure adjustments. Single-patient reports described technique changes during complex procedures.
June 2026
- Diagnosis labels. Gene and antibody patterns helped separate CAD from lymphoma-like findings.
- Long-term survival. One clinic review reported lower 10-year survival than warm-type AIHA.
- Blood clot risk. Blood clots were reported in some patients in routine care.
- Severe-case care. Case reports described plasma exchange or transplant in severe situations.
May 2026
- Complement blocker response. In one case report, hemolysis improved after sutimlimab when earlier treatments aimed at B cells had not controlled it.
- Tests improved, anemia worsened. In another case, cold agglutinin test results improved after rituximab, but anemia worsened and was later linked to acute myeloid leukemia.
- DAT for cold vs warm. A guideline again recommended the direct antiglobulin test (DAT) to help distinguish cold agglutinin disease from warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia.
April 2026
- Hemoglobin change. Hemoglobin often rose quickly and stayed higher over time.
- Cold-related symptoms. Cold-triggered hand and foot symptoms often continued despite better counts.
- Infection reports. Infections were reported; severe cases were mostly after past rituximab.
- Diagnosis changes. Bone marrow testing sometimes shifted diagnosis to a B-cell cancer.
March 2026
- Crisis stabilization. In severe hemolysis, reports described strict warming and organ support to stabilize the person.
- Whole-blood exchange bridge. Whole-blood exchange was used as a short-term bridge while other treatments were being started.
- Rituximab to reduce B cells. Some treatment plans included rituximab to lower antibody-producing B cells, especially when a B-cell disorder was involved.
- Why antibodies bind. Lab studies explored how some cold agglutinin antibodies attach to sugar targets on red blood cells.
February 2026
- Care plan changes. Case reports described cold agglutinins appearing during transplant or chemotherapy care and leading teams to adjust the original treatment plan.
- Infusion reactions and anemia. Reports linked cold agglutinins with infusion reactions and sudden anemia, including one case where testing showed complement involvement and red blood cell clumping that improved with warming.
- Rituximab response (single case). In one chemotherapy-associated case, rituximab was followed by partial improvement in anemia and hemolysis, but the reports were not focused on testing new treatments for cold agglutinin disease.
January 2026
- Rituximab and steroids. Rituximab plus steroids was followed by improved anemia and kidneys.
- Trigger treatment. After treating the illness, blood cell clumping gradually cleared.
- Blood count accuracy. White blood cell clumping can distort blood count results.
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