Switching hemophilia A patients to rVIII-SingleChain: The Iberian experience.

The real-world outcomes of lonoctocog alfa (rVIII-SingleChain), a long-acting factor VIII (FVIII) with a favorable safety and efficacy profile in trials, were assessed in patients with hemophilia A in Iberian (Spain and Portugal). This was a retrospective study involving patients switching to rVIII-SingleChain from other FVIIIs in 7 Spanish and Portuguese hospitals. The efficacy and safety of replacement therapies were compared between 12 months before switching and the period from switching to the end of the study. Twenty-nine patients (median age 25 years; severe hemophilia A, 37.9%) were recruited. Before switching, 12 were on prophylaxis and were followed-up for a median of 12 months. After switching, 17 received prophylaxis with rVIII-SingleChain and were followed-up for a median of 41 months. Those with ≤2 weekly infusions increased from 37.5% before switching to 60.7% after switching to rVIII-SingleChain. The median monthly consumption was 312 IU/kg with prior FVIIIs and 273 IU/kg with rVII-SingleChain. Six spontaneous bleeds were reported in each period in the prophylaxis patients. In the entire cohort, 50 bleeds were reported with prior FVIIIs and 33 were reported after switching to rVIII-SingleChain. Patients requiring ≤1 dose for hemostasis increased from 44.0% with prior FVIIIs to 60.6% with rVIII-SingleChain. Responses were rated good/excellent in 95.4% of cases. No safety concerns were reported. Patients who switched to rVIII-SingleChain prophylaxis had excellent bleeding control and reduced infusion frequency in regular clinical practice, with the subsequent increase in quality-of-life.

Value contribution of etranacogene dezaparvovec gene therapy in moderately severe and severe haemophilia B through multi-criteria decision analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The value of gene therapies for haemophilia needs to be assessed holistically. AIM: To determine the value of etranacogene dezaparvovec (ED) compared to current extended half-life (EHL) recombinant factors (rFIX), using multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA). METHOD: MCDA EVIDEM methodology adapted to orphan drugs was used, with nine quantitative criteria and four contextual criteria. The MCDA framework was rated by 28 multidisciplinary experts. Descriptive statistics were performed for quantitative and qualitative criteria. RESULTS: Haemophilia B (HB) was considered a severe disease (mean ± SD: 4.3 ± 0.7) with some unmet needs (mean ± SD 3.3 ± 0.9). Experts found ED more effective (mean ± SD 2.0 ± 2.3) and provide better quality of life (QoL) (mean ± SD: 1.8 ± 1.5) than the comparative HB treatments but with safety uncertainties (mean ± SD -1.2 ± 1.8). ED could lead to medical cost and non-medical cost savings over time (mean ± SD: 1.6 ± 2.0 and 2.0 ± 1.5, respectively). The quality of the evidence was high (mean ± SD: 3.9 ± 0.9). ED was considered aligned with the priorities of the National Health System (NHS) and the specific interests of patients. ED's value contribution was 0.45 (+1 = highest value). CONCLUSIONS: ED brings added value in the treatment of moderately severe and severe HB (sHB) compared to current EHL rFIX, addressing the severity of the disease and increasing efficacy and patients' QoL especially related to the single dose and low bleeding rate. Concerns about long-term safety need to be addressed.

Humanistic burden of haemophilia A without inhibitors: A cross-sectional analysis of the HemoLIFE study.

AIM: To evaluate the impact of haemophilia A without inhibitors on humanistic outcomes in patients and caregivers. Herein, we report a cross-sectional analysis of the baseline data of persons with haemophilia (PWH) participating in the prospective study HEMOLIFE. METHODS: These data are part of a prospective, observational, and multicentre study currently being conducted in 20 hospitals in Spain by haematologists. We included subjects 12 years or older diagnosed with haemophilia. The evaluations included the Maladjustment Scale, Haemophilia-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire for Adults (HaemoQol)/HaemoQol Short Form (Children), haemophilia-specific version of the Work Productivity and Impairment Questionnaire plus the Classroom Impairment Questionnaire (WPAI+CIQ:HS), Haemophilia Activity List (HAL)/Paediatric Haemophilia Activities List (pedHAL), visual analogue scale (VAS) for evaluating pain, Coping Pain Questionnaire-Reduced (CAD-R), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). RESULTS: A total of 81 PWH were recruited at 18 centres; 66 PWH were ≥18 years (i.e., adults), and PWH 15 were <18 years (i.e., paediatric patients). Out of the 79 evaluable subjects, 16 (20%) showed an impact of haemophilia on daily life, and the areas most affected were "leisure time" (58% showed maladjustment) and "work/studies" (47% showed maladjustment). Patients reported a higher impact of haemophilia on quality of life (mean [SD] of the transformed score) in the dimensions of "sport" (49.4 [28.6]), "physical health" (40.5 [25.8]) and "future" (37.7 [28.9]). In adults, according to HAL scores, greater impairment of function was observed in "lying/sitting/kneeling/standing," "function of legs" and "leisure activities and sports," with mean normalized scores of 64.7, 65.1 and 69.0, respectively. Productivity was mostly impacted by presenteeism. The pain was infrequent and moderate. According to the HADS scores, nine (11.5%) patients had clinical anxiety and depression. CONCLUSION: PWH without inhibitors exhibited impairments in adjustment, quality of life and functionality, especially related to leisure and sports activities, and exhibit relevant levels of anxiety and depression.

Noninterventional study assessing joint health in persons with hemophilia A after switching to turoctocog alfa pegol: design of pathfinderReal.

Background: Joint damage affects the quality of life of persons with hemophilia A. The long-term safety and efficacy of turoctocog alfa pegol (N8-GP) prophylaxis in persons with hemophilia A has been investigated in pivotal phase 3 trials in children, adolescents, and adults (pathfinder program). However, there is a lack of data on joint health in adult persons with hemophilia A treated with N8-GP. Objectives: To describe the design of the ongoing pathfinderReal study investigating the joint health status in adult persons with hemophilia A after switching to N8-GP. Methods: pathfinderReal is a multicountry, noninterventional, single-arm study (NCT05621746) of joint health in adult (≥18 years) male persons with hemophilia A who have switched to N8-GP. Patients enrolled in other interventional studies and those who have previously terminated N8-GP treatment will be excluded. Approximately 124 adults with hemophilia A will be enrolled and followed up for a maximum of 24 months. Data from routine clinical assessments of patients' joint health will be collected. The primary endpoint is change in Hemophilia Joint Health Score (defined as a change in total score of ≤2) from initiation of N8-GP treatment until the end of the study. Secondary endpoints include number of bleeding episodes, number and resolution of target joints, patient-reported outcomes of problem joint score, pain score, and change in physical function levels. An exploratory endpoint is included to measure the number of patients achieving improved Hemophilia Joint Health Score from the initiation of N8-GP until the end of the study. Conclusion: The pathfinderReal study will provide insights regarding the impact of N8-GP on joint health in persons with hemophilia A in a real-world setting.

Portal vein thrombosis in a patient with severe hemophilia B: A challenging balanced management.

Key Clinical Message: The increased life expectancy in patients with hemophilia (PwH) over the last years has raised the incidence of comorbidities, including thromboembolic events. Thromboembolic events are rare in PwH and most of them occur in the presence of exogenous risk factors. There is still scarce scientific evidence on the optimal antithrombotic treatment and management approach in this population. Abstract: In the hemophilic population thromboembolic events are rare. Most of them are often multifactorial and occur in the presence of both exogenous (orthopedic surgery, intensive replacement therapy, use of central venous catheters…) and endogenous (cardiovascular diseases) risk factors. We describe the case of a 43-year-old patient with severe hemophilia B (sHB) receiving prophylaxis with eftrenonacog alfa (rFIXFc) and antithrombotic treatment due to portal vein thrombosis. The patient was treated with extended half- life factor IX (EHL-FIX) prophylaxis maintaining higher trough levels to avoid new bleeding episodes associated to the underlying disease and the use of antithrombotic therapy with low molecular weight heparin. EHL-FIX concentrates allow prolonged intervals between intravenous infusions and higher hemostatic protection thanks to increased factor trough levels. This current case report provides clinical evidence in antithrombotic management in a patient with severe hemophilia B.

Benefits of rIX-FP prophylaxis in patients with Haemophilia B: real-world evidence from a Spanish reference centre.

Standard FIX prophylaxis for PWHB require frequent injections, which has led to the development of extended half-life products like rIX-FP (albutrepenonacog alfa) that has shown good efficacy in clinical studies. This ambispective study aims to report a real-world experience with rIX-FP in a Spanish centre with PWHB who switched from SHL-FIX or began prophylaxis with rIX-FP. Five PWHB were included in this study, Four PTP switched to rIX-FP with prophylaxis every 7 days whilst one PUP started with an every-14-days regimen. 3 PTPs extended their dosing intervals to every 14 days or every 21 days. In all PTPs, median annualized spontaneous and joint bleeding rates were maintained at 0.00 and median (range) of ABR was 0.92 (0.00-2.77) after switch to rIX-FP. Mean trough level with previous product was 3.68% (SD = 2.06), while it was 7.08% (SD = 3) with all rIX-FP dosing intervals. After switching to rIX-FP, all PTP reduced their annual infusion rate between 50 and 84% and their annual FIX consumption by 61% (59-67%). This is the first reported real-world experience with albutrepenonacog alfa in a small cohort in Spain and demonstrates good bleeding control together with a reduction of the infusion rate, factor consumption and higher through factor level than previous treatment.

VHrare study: Prevalence, clinical features and management of severe rare bleeding disorders in a large cohort.

INTRODUCTION: Rare bleeding disorders (RBD) constitute 5% of total hereditary bleeding disorders, although the number could be higher, due to the presence of undiagnosed asymptomatic patients. The objective of this study was to analyze the prevalence and characteristics of patients with severe RBDs in our area. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed the patients with RBD followed at a tertiary-level hospital between January 2014 and December 2021. RESULTS: A total of 101 patients were analyzed, with a median age at diagnosis of 27.67 years (range 0-89), of which 52.47% were male. The most frequent RBD in our population was FVII deficiency. Regarding the diagnostic reason, the most frequent cause was a preoperative test and only 14.8% reported bleeding symptoms at the time of diagnosis. A genetic study was carried out in 63.36% of patients and the most frequent mutation type found was finding a missense mutation. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of RBDs in our centre is similar to the one reported in the literature. The majority of RBDs were diagnosed from a preoperative test and this allowed preventive treatment prior to invasive procedures to avoid bleeding complications. 83% of patients did not have a pathological bleeding phenotype according to ISTH-BAT.

von Willebrand factor neutralizing and non-neutralizing alloantibodies in 213 subjects with type 3 von Willebrand disease enrolled in 3WINTERS-IPS.

BACKGROUND: Type 3 von Willebrand disease (VWD) is the most severe form of this disease owing to the almost complete deficiency of von Willebrand factor (VWF). Replacement therapy with plasma-derived products containing VWF or recombinant VWF rarely cause the development of alloantibodies against VWF that may be accompanied by anaphylactic reactions. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of anti-VWF alloantibodies in subjects with type 3 VWD enrolled in the 3WINTERS-IPS. METHODS: An indirect in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay has been used to test all the alloantibodies against VWF. Neutralizing antibodies (inhibitors) have been tested with a Bethesda-based method by using a VWF collagen binding (VWF:CB) assay. Samples positive for anti-VWF antibodies were further tested with Bethesda-based methods by using the semiautomated gain-of-function glycoprotein-Ib binding (VWF:GPIbM) and a VWF antigen (VWF:Ag) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: In total, 18 of the 213 (8.4%) subjects tested positive for anti-VWF antibodies and 13 of 213 (6%) had VWF:CB inhibitors. These 13 were among the 18 with anti-VWF antibodies. Of the 5 without VWF:CB inhibitors, 3 had non-neutralizing antibodies, 1 only inhibitor against VWF:GPIbM, and one could not be tested further. Ten of the 13 subjects with VWF:CB inhibitors also had VWF:GPIbM inhibitors, 6 of whom also had VWF:Ag inhibitors. Subjects with inhibitors were homozygous for VWF null alleles (11/14), homozygous for a missense variant (1/14), or partially characterized (2/14). CONCLUSIONS: Anti-VWF antibodies were found in 8.4% of subjects with type 3 VWD, whereas neutralizing VWF inhibitors were found in 6%, mainly in subjects homozygous for VWF null alleles. Because inhibitors may be directed toward different VWF epitopes, their detection is dependent on the assay used.

Activated prothrombin complex concentrate to treat bleeding events in acquired hemophilia A: BAHAS study.

OBJECTIVE: Activated prothrombin complex concentrate (aPCC) is a bypassing agent indicated to treat bleeds in patients with acquired hemophilia A (AHA). Nevertheless, its efficacy and safety in the real-world setting have not often been addressed. METHODS: We report the experience of Spanish reference centers for coagulation disorders and from acquired hemophilia Spanish Registry (AHASR) from August 2012 to February 2021. Follow-up period of 30 days after aPCC withdrawal. RESULTS: Thirty patients with a median age of 70 years old, suffering from 51 bleeds treated with aPCC were finally evaluated. As first-line treatment, aPCC stopped bleeding in 13 of 14 (92.9%) cases. aPCC as the second line after recombinant factor VIIa failure, stopped bleeding in all cases. In 17 patients, aPCC was used far from initial bleed control as prophylaxis of rebleeding with 94% effectiveness. No thromboembolic episodes were communicated. One patient developed hypofibrinogenemia, which did not prevent aPCC from halting bleeding. No other serious adverse events possibly or probably associated with aPCC were reported. CONCLUSIONS: This data support aPCC as hemostatic treatment in AHA with high effectiveness and excellent safety profile in acute bleeds and as extended use to prevent rebleedings, even in aging people with high cardiovascular risk.

Neurosurgery in a patient with severe hemophilia B: an experience using eftrenonacog alfa as perioperative management.

Extended half-life FIX (EHL-FIX) concentrates have been developed with the purpose of reducing the frequency of infusions in patients with severe or moderate hemophilia B. We describe the case of a 63-year-old patient with severe hemophilia B (sHB) treated with FIX-Fc fusion protein (rFIXFc) who underwent neurosurgery.

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Fanhdi®, a Plasma-Derived VWF/Factor VIII Concentrate, in von Willebrand Disease in Spain: A Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a plasma-derived factor VIII concentrate containing von Willebrand Factor (pdVWF/FVIII) in standard clinical practice in von Willebrand Disease (VWD) patients. METHODS: A retrospective, multicentric, observational study of VWD patients treated with Fanhdi®, a pdVWF/FVIII concentrate, from January 2011 to December 2017 was conducted at 14 centers in Spain. Efficacy and safety were evaluated for acute bleeding episodes, for prevention of bleeding in surgeries, and for secondary long-term prophylaxis. RESULTS: Seventy-two eligible patients, type 1, 2, 3 VWD (25%/38.9%/36.1%) were treated for spontaneous and traumatic bleeding (140 episodes, n = 41 patients), to prevent surgical bleeding (69 episodes, n = 43 patients); and for secondary long-term prophylaxis (18 programs, n = 13 patients). Replacement therapy with pdVWF/FVIII showed an excellent to good clinical efficacy in 96.7% of the bleeding episodes, 100% during surgical procedures and 100% during prophylaxis. No adverse events (AEs), nor serious AEs related to the product were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Fanhdi® was effective, safe and well tolerated in the management of bleeding episodes, the prevention of bleeding during surgeries, and for secondary long-term prophylaxis in VWD patients.

Von Willebrand factor propeptide and pathophysiological mechanisms in European and Iranian patients with type 3 von Willebrand disease enrolled in the 3WINTERS-IPS study.

BACKGROUND: Type 3 von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a severe bleeding disorder caused by the virtually complete absence of von Willebrand factor (VWF). Pathophysiological mechanisms of VWD like defective synthesis, secretion, and clearance of VWF have previously been evaluated using ratios of VWF propeptide (VWFpp) over VWF antigen (VWF:Ag) and factor (F)VIII coagulant activity (FVIII:C) over VWF:Ag. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the VWFpp/VWF:Ag and FVIII:C/VWF:Ag ratios may also be applied to understand the pathophysiological mechanism underlying type 3 VWD and whether VWFpp is associated with bleeding severity. METHODS: European and Iranian type 3 patients were enrolled in the 3WINTERS-IPS study. Plasma samples and buffy coats were collected and a bleeding assessment tool was administered at enrolment. VWF:Ag, VWFpp, FVIII:C, and genetic analyses were performed centrally, to confirm patients' diagnoses. VWFpp/VWF:Ag and FVIII:C/VWF:Ag ratios were compared among different variant classes using the Mann-Whitney test. Median differences with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using the Hodges-Lehmann method. VWFpp association with bleeding symptoms was assessed using Spearman's rank correlation. RESULTS: Homozygosity/compound heterozygosity for missense variants showed higher VWFpp level and VWFpp/VWF:Ag ratio than homozygosity/compound heterozygosity for null variants ([VWFpp median difference, 1.4 IU/dl; 95% CI, 0.2-2.7; P = .016]; [VWFpp/VWF:Ag median difference, 1.4; 95% CI, 0-4.2; P = .054]). FVIII: C/VWF:Ag ratio was similarly increased in both. VWFpp level did not correlate with the bleeding symptoms (r = .024; P = .778). CONCLUSIONS: An increased VWFpp/VWF:Ag ratio is indicative of missense variants, whereas FVIII:C/VWF:Ag ratio does not discriminate missense from null alleles. The VWFpp level was not associated with the severity of bleeding phenotype.

COVID-19 Infection After a Total Knee Arthroplasty in a Patient with Hemophilia A: A Case Report.

CASE: Minimal information is available regarding coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) patients with hemophilia A. Coagulopathy is a major pathophysiological characteristic of COVID-19; however, because of a paucity of data, it is not clear whether these patients with hemophilia are more or less prone to the severe form of the COVID-19 disease. We report the case of a hemophilic patient with confirmed COVID-19 after total knee arthroplasty. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the idea that patients with a congenital hypocoagulability stated as haemophilia may be protected against COVID-19 hypercoagulability-related adverse effects. Thromboprophylaxis with low-molecular-weight heparin should be evaluated in patients with hemophilia and COVID-19 disease.