Comparison of coagulation parameters associated with fibrinogen concentrate and cryoprecipitate for treatment of bleeding in patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery for pseudomyxoma peritonei: Subanalysis from a randomized, controlled phase 2 study.

Background and Aims: The FORMA-05 study compared the efficacy and safety of human fibrinogen concentrate (HFC) versus cryoprecipitate for hemostasis in bleeding patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery for pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP). This subanalysis explores coagulation parameters in the FORMA-05 patients, with a focus on the seven patients who developed thromboembolic events (TEEs). Methods: FORMA-05 was a prospective, randomized, controlled phase 2 study in which patients with predicted blood loss ≥2 L received HFC (4 g) or cryoprecipitate (two pools of five units), repeated as needed. Plasma fibrinogen, platelet count, factor (F) XIII, FVIII, von Willebrand Factor (VWF) antigen and ristocetin cofactor activity levels, EXTEM A20, FIBTEM A20, and endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) were measured perioperatively. Results: Fibrinogen, platelet count, EXTEM and FIBTEM A20, FXIII, FVIII, VWF levels, and ETP were maintained throughout surgery in both the HFC group (N = 21) and the cryoprecipitate group (N = 23). Seven TEEs were observed in the cryoprecipitate group. The two patients developing deep vein thromboses (DVT) appeared to have a procoagulant status preoperatively, with distinctively higher fibrinogen level, FIBTEM A20, and platelet levels, all of which persisted perioperatively. The five patients developing pulmonary embolism (PE) had slightly higher VWF levels preoperatively, with a disproportionate increase intraoperatively (postcryoprecipitate administration) and postoperatively. Conclusions: Patients treated with HFC versus cryoprecipitate showed broad overlaps in coagulation parameters. Patients with PE experienced a disproportionate VWF rise following cryoprecipitate administration, whereas patients developing DVT displayed a procoagulant status before and following surgery. Preoperative testing may allow these patients to be identified.

Analysis of fibrinogen concentrate pharmacokinetics and dosing for bleeds and surgery in adults, adolescents, and children with congenital afibrinogenaemia and hypofibrinogenaemia.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital afibrinogenaemia and hypofibrinogenaemia are rare coagulation disorders where clotting is impaired due to a lack of fibrinogen. Consequent bleeding episodes (BEs) are treated using human fibrinogen concentrate (HFC). AIM: This post-hoc analysis compared HFC pharmacokinetics (PK) and dosing between patient age groups and defined the in vivo recovery (IVR) for children with a- and hypofibrinogenaemia. METHODS: The analysis used data from the FORMA-01 (Phase 2), FORMA-02 and FORMA-04 (Phase 3) multinational, prospective, open-label studies in patients with a- and hypofibrinogenaemia. HFC PK in adults/adolescents (≥12 years; FORMA-01) and children (<12 years; FORMA-04) was examined. Haemostatic efficacy in BE treatment and perioperative prophylaxis was examined in FORMA-02 and FORMA-04 using an objective 4-point scale, with success defined as excellent/good. RESULTS: Median (range) age was 23 years for FORMA-01 (12-53; n = 22), 26.5 years for FORMA-02 (12-54; n = 25), and 6 years for FORMA-04 (1-10; n = 13). Mean PK parameters were lower for children (AUC, Cmax , IVR; p = .02), while clearance was higher. Median (range) total dose of HFC for all BEs was 59.41 mg/kg (32.12-273.80) in adults/adolescents and was 24% higher (ns) in children at 73.91 mg/kg (47.45-262.50). Treatment was successful in 98.9% of the 89 BEs in adults/adolescents and in 100% of the 10 BEs in children, with comparable results for perioperative prophylaxis. CONCLUSION: As expected, HFC PK differed between adults/adolescents and children. However, with the higher doses given to children, HFC showed similar efficacy across age groups. Dose adaptation based on age groups appears recommendable.

Efficacy and safety of fibrinogen concentrate for perioperative prophylaxis of bleeding in adult, adolescent, and pediatric patients with congenital fibrinogen deficiency: FORMA-02 and FORMA-04 clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Congenital fibrinogen deficiency (CFD) is a rare coagulation disorder placing patients at increased bleeding risk. Human fibrinogen concentrate (HFC) represents current standard of care for fibrinogen replacement in CFD, however, limited data are available on HFC for prophylactic administration before/during surgery. Here, we report results and dosing considerations for HFC treatment in perioperative bleeding management in adult, adolescent, and pediatric patients with CFD. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: FORMA-02/FORMA-04 were multinational, prospective, open-label, uncontrolled Phase 3 HFC efficacy/safety studies for surgical bleeding prophylaxis in adult/adolescent (≥12 years) and pediatric patients (<12 years) respectively. HFC dosing was calculated to achieve pre-established target fibrinogen plasma levels. Overall hemostatic efficacy was assessed as success/failure by an Independent Data Monitoring and Endpoint Adjudication Committee (IDMEAC) according to objective criteria. RESULTS: Twelve patients (≥12 years, N = 9; <12 years, N = 3) received HFC for surgical prophylaxis (15 surgeries; 13 minor, 2 major). Eleven minor surgeries in patients aged ≥12 years required a median of 1 infusion (range; 1-5), with a mean (±SD) dose of 93.50 mg/kg [±41.43] and two minor surgeries in patients <12 years required 1 infusion (91.55 mg/kg [±23.40]). The major surgery in an adult patient required eight infusions (225.3 mg/kg total dose). The major surgery in a pediatric patient required six infusions (450.4 mg/kg). All surgeries were rated successful by the IDMEAC. DISCUSSION: In adults/adolescents and pediatric patients with fibrinogen deficiency, HFC treatment for hemostatic management during/after minor and major surgery was successful, with efficacy comparable across the different age groups.

A Deep Look Into COVID-19 Severity Through Dynamic Changes in Blood Cytokine Levels.

An excessive inflammatory response to SARS-CoV-2 is thought to be a major cause of disease severity and mortality in patients with COVID-19. Longitudinal analysis of cytokine release can expand our understanding of the initial stages of disease development and help to identify early markers serving as predictors of disease severity. In this study, we performed a comprehensive analysis of 46 cytokines (including chemokines and growth factors) in the peripheral blood of a large cohort of COVID-19 patients (n=444). The patients were classified into five severity groups. Longitudinal analysis of all patients revealed two groups of cytokines, characterizing the "early" and "late" stages of the disease course and the switch between type 1 and type 2 immunity. We found significantly increased levels of cytokines associated with different severities of COVID-19, and levels of some cytokines were significantly higher during the first three days from symptom onset (DfSO) in patients who eventually required intensive care unit (ICU) therapy. Additionally, we identified nine cytokines, TNF-α, IL-10, MIG, IL-6, IP-10, M-CSF, G-CSF, GM-CSF, and IFN-α2, that can be used as good predictors of ICU requirement at 4-6 DfSO.

Efficacy and safety of fibrinogen concentrate for on-demand treatment of bleeding and surgical prophylaxis in paediatric patients with congenital fibrinogen deficiency.

BACKGROUND: Congenital fibrinogen deficiency (CFD) is a rare, inherited disorder affecting normal blood clotting function, where patients can experience severe and/or frequent bleeding episodes (BEs). Treatment with human fibrinogen concentrate (HFC) can prevent/arrest bleeding. There is a need for more data on the efficacy, pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety of HFC treatment in paediatric patients with CFD. METHODS: Haemostatic efficacy of HFC (Fibryga® , Octapharma AG) for on-demand treatment of bleeding and surgical prophylaxis in patients <12 years old was assessed by investigators and an Independent Data Monitoring and Endpoint Adjudication Committee (IDMEAC) based on an objective 4-point efficacy scale. Maximum clot firmness (MCF; surrogate marker of haemostatic efficacy), single-dose PK and safety were also assessed. RESULTS: Of 14 patients receiving HFC (median [range] age 6.0 years [1.0-10.0]), eight received HFC for 10 BEs, three for surgical prophylaxis and 13 for PK. The IDMEAC rated haemostatic efficacy as 100% successful for on-demand BE treatment (95% CI 69.15-100.00) and surgical prophylaxis (95% CI 29.24-100.00). After a mean first dose of 70.78 mg/kg for BEs, mean (±SD) MCF significantly increased from pre-treatment to 1-hour post-infusion (3.3 mm [±1.77]; P = 0.0002), coinciding with haemostatic efficacy. PK parameters were favourable. Two possibly related adverse events occurred, including one serious (portal vein thrombosis). No allergic/hypersensitivity reactions or deaths were observed. CONCLUSION: HFC treatment for on-demand treatment of BEs and surgical prophylaxis was efficacious for this ultra-rare paediatric population with congenital afibrinogenaemia and showed a favourable PK and safety profile.

Efficacy of fibrinogen concentrate in major abdominal surgery - A prospective, randomized, controlled study in cytoreductive surgery for pseudomyxoma peritonei.

BACKGROUND: Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is associated with excessive bleeding and acquired fibrinogen deficiency. Maintaining plasma fibrinogen may support hemostasis. OBJECTIVES: To compare hemostatic efficacy and safety of human fibrinogen concentrate (HFC) vs cryoprecipitate as fibrinogen sources for bleeding patients with acquired fibrinogen deficiency undergoing PMP CRS. METHODS: FORMA-05 was an off-label single-center, prospective, randomized, controlled phase 2 study. Patients undergoing PMP surgery with predicted intraoperative blood loss ≥2 L received human fibrinogen concentrate (HFC; 4 g) or cryoprecipitate (two pools of 5 units, containing approximately 4.0-4.6 g fibrinogen), repeated as needed. The primary endpoint was a composite of intraoperative and postoperative efficacy, graded using objective 4-point scales and adjudicated by an independent committee. RESULTS: One hundred percent of patients receiving HFC (95% confidence interval: 83.9-100.0, n = 21) or cryoprecipitate (84.6-100.0, n = 22) achieved hemostatic success. HFC demonstrated noninferior efficacy (P = .0095; post hoc) and arrived in the operating room 46 minutes faster. There were significantly greater mean increases with HFC vs cryoprecipitate in plasma fibrinogen (0.78 vs 0.35 g/L; P < .0001) and FIBTEM A20 (3.33 vs 0.93 mm; P = .003). Factor XIII, factor VIII, and von Willebrand factor activity were maintained throughout surgery. Only red blood cells were transfused intraoperatively (median units: HFC group, 1.0; cryoprecipitate group, 0.5). Thromboembolic events were detected with cryoprecipitate only. Safety was otherwise comparable between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Human fibrinogen concentrate was hemostatically efficacious in patients undergoing major abdominal PMP surgery, with a favorable safety profile. These results are relevant to other surgical settings where bleeding and acquired fibrinogen deficiency occur.

Epidemiology of influenza in pregnant women hospitalized with respiratory illness in Moscow, 2012/2013-2015/2016: a hospital-based active surveillance study.

BACKGROUND: To better understand the impact of seasonal influenza in pregnant women we analyzed data collected during four seasons at a hospital for acute respiratory infection that specializes in treating pregnant women. METHODS: This was a single-center active surveillance study of women 15-44 years of age hospitalized for acute respiratory diseases between 2012/2013 and 2015/2016 in Moscow, Russian Federation. Women had to have been hospitalized within 7 days of the onset of symptoms. Swabs were taken within 48 h of admission, and influenza was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: During the four seasons, of the 1992 hospitalized women 1748 were pregnant. Laboratory-confirmed influenza was detected more frequently in pregnant women (825/1748; 47.2%) than non-pregnant women (58/244; 23.8%) (OR for influenza = 2.87 [95% CI, 2.10-3.92]; p <  0.001). This pattern was homogenous across seasons (p = 0.112 by test of homogeneity of equal odds). Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 was the dominant strain in 2012/2013, A(H3N2) in 2013/2014, B/Yamagata lineage and A(H3N2) in 2014/2015, and A(H1N1)pdm09 in 2015/2016. Influenza-positive pregnant admissions went to the hospital sooner than influenza-negative pregnant admissions (p <  0.001). The risk of influenza increased by 2% with each year of age and was higher in women with underlying conditions (OR = 1.52 [95% CI, 1.16 to 1.99]). Pregnant women positive for influenza were homogeneously distributed by trimester (p = 0.37 for homogeneity; p = 0.49 for trend). Frequencies of stillbirth, delivery, preterm delivery, and caesarean delivery did not significantly differ between influenza-positive and influenza-negative hospitalized pregnant women or between subtypes/lineages. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant women are at increased risk for hospitalization due to influenza irrespective of season, circulating viruses, or trimester.