Multiple criteria decision analysis for therapeutic innovations in a hemophilia care center: A pilot study of the organizational impact of innovation in hemophilia care management.

BACKGROUND: Several innovative drugs liable to lead to changes in healthcare organization are or soon will be available for the management of hemophilia. Analyzing their implementation can shed further light on healthcare decision-making, to anticipate changes and risk of breakdown in the patient's care pathway. METHODS: Multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA), based on ISPOR recommendations, was used to assess the organizational impact of innovation in hemophilia care management. The MCDA process designed for this specific context involved ten French experts in hemophilia care management (physicians, nurses, pharmacist, physiotherapist and psychologist) in the hemophilia care center of Chambéry, in the Rhône-Alpes Region of France. This pilot study involved seven steps: (i) defining the decision problem; (ii) selecting and structuring criteria; (iii) assessing the relative weight of each criterion with software-assisted simulation based on pairwise comparisons of different organizational change scenarios; (iv) measuring the performance of the selected innovations; (v) scoring alternatives; (vi) calculating aggregate scores; (vii) discussion. The endpoint was to determine the expected overall organizational impact on a 0-100 scale. RESULTS: Seven organizational criteria were selected. "Acceptability for patient/caregiver/association" was the most heavily weighted. Factor VIII by subcutaneous route obtained the highest aggregate score: i.e., low impact on care organization (88.8 out of 100). The innovation with strongest organizational impact was gene therapy (27.3 out of 100). CONCLUSION: This approach provided a useful support for discussion, integrating organizational aspects in the treatment decision-making process, at healthcare team level. The study needs repeating in a few years' time and in other hemophilia centers.

Confirmed long-term safety and efficacy of prophylactic treatment with BAY 94-9027 in severe haemophilia A: final results of the PROTECT VIII extension study.

INTRODUCTION: The phase 2/3 PROTECT VIII main study demonstrated efficacy and safety of BAY 94-9027 (damoctocog alfa pegol; Jivi® ), a B-domain-deleted recombinant factor VIII (FVIII), site-specifically PEGylated to extend its half-life. AIM: To report the final efficacy and safety data for BAY 94-9027 from the PROTECT VIII extension. METHODS: Previously treated males aged 12-65 years with severe haemophilia A (FVIII <1%) who completed the multicentre, open-label PROTECT VIII main study were eligible for the extension. Patients received either on demand or prophylaxis treatments (30-40 IU/kg twice weekly [2 × W], 45-60 IU/kg every 5 days [E5D], or 60 IU/kg every 7 days [E7D]) and could switch to any prophylaxis regimen (variable frequency) as needed. Annualised bleeding rates (ABR), zero bleeds and safety outcomes were included in this final analysis. RESULTS: At extension completion, patients (n = 121) received BAY 94-9027 for a median (range) total time of 3.9 (0.8-7.0) years. Median (Q1; Q3) total ABR was 1.49 (0.36; 4.80) for prophylaxis patients (n = 107), compared with 34.09 (20.3; 36.6) for on-demand patients (n = 14). Median total ABRs for 2 × W (n = 23), E5D (n = 33), E7D (n = 23) and variable frequency (n = 28) groups were 1.57, 1.17, 0.65 and 3.10, respectively. Of prophylaxis patients, 20.6% were bleed-free during the entire extension (median time, 3.2 years) and 50.0% were bleed-free during the last 6 months. No patient developed FVIII inhibitors. No deaths or thrombotic events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Efficacy and safety of BAY 94-9027 was confirmed, with extension data supporting its use as a long-term treatment option for patients with haemophilia A.

Entering new areas in known fields: recombinant fusion protein linking recombinant factor VIIa with recombinant albumin (rVIIa-FP) - advancing the journey.

The novel fusion protein linking recombinant factor VIIa with recombinant albumin (rVIIa-FP) is designed to extend the half-life of recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) and improve the care of hemophilia A or B patients with inhibitors. Preclinical studies in various animal models have demonstrated markedly improved pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, as well as prolonged retention in the joint tissues, of rVIIa-FP compared with a commercially available rFVIIa (NovoSeven®). A phase I study in healthy volunteers - the first study in the PROLONG-7FP program - confirmed that rVIIa-FP has a good tolerability profile in doses of up to 1,000µg/kg and has demonstrated enhanced pharmacodynamic activity relative to rFVIIa. The half-life of rVIIa-FP at the highest dose investigated in the study was 8.5hours, which represents a 3- to 4-fold half-life extension compared with rFVIIa. Encouraging results from preclinical and phase I studies have led to the initiation of clinical studies of rVIIa-FP in patients with congenital hemophilia A or B and inhibitors, and in patients with confirmed factor VII deficiency. The results from these studies are awaited with interest by clinicians and patients alike.

A French multicenter randomised trial comparing two dose-regimens of prothrombin complex concentrates in urgent anticoagulation reversal.

INTRODUCTION: Prothrombin complex concentrates (PCC) are haemostatic blood preparations indicated for urgent anticoagulation reversal, though the optimal dose for effective reversal is still under debate. The latest generation of PCCs include four coagulation factors, the so-called 4-factor PCC. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of two doses, 25 and 40 IU/kg, of 4-factor PCC in vitamin K antagonist (VKA) associated intracranial haemorrhage. METHODS: We performed a phase III, prospective, randomised, open-label study including patients with objectively diagnosed VKA-associated intracranial haemorrhage between November 2008 and April 2011 in 22 centres in France. Patients were randomised to receive 25 or 40 IU/kg of 4-factor PCC. The primary endpoint was the international normalised ratio (INR) 10 minutes after the end of 4-factor PCC infusion. Secondary endpoints were changes in coagulation factors, global clinical outcomes and incidence of adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: A total of 59 patients were randomised: 29 in the 25 IU/kg and 30 in the 40 IU/kg group. Baseline demographics and clinical characteristics were comparable between the groups. The mean INR was significantly reduced to 1.2 - and ≤1.5 in all patients of both groups - 10 minutes after 4-factor PCC infusion. The INR in the 40 IU/kg group was significantly lower than in the 25 IU/kg group 10 minutes (P = 0.001), 1 hour (P = 0.001) and 3 hours (P = 0.02) after infusion. The 40 IU/kg dose was also effective in replacing coagulation factors such as PT (P = 0.038), FII (P = 0.001), FX (P <0.001), protein C (P = 0.002) and protein S (0.043), 10 minutes after infusion. However, no differences were found in haematoma volume or global clinical outcomes between the groups. Incidence of death and thrombotic events was similar between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid infusion of both doses of 4-factor PCC achieved an INR of 1.5 or less in all patients with a lower INR observed in the 40 IU/kg group. No safety concerns were raised by the 40 IU/kg dose. Further trials are needed to evaluate the impact of the high dose of 4-factor PCC on functional outcomes and mortality. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Eudra CT number 2007-000602-73.