Multicenter evaluation of the haemostatic activity of emicizumab in patients with severe haemophilia A.

BACKGROUND: Emicizumab has been approved for the prophylaxis of patients with hemophilia A with or without inhibitors. However, spontaneous and trauma-induced breakthrough bleeds have been reported in patients on emicizumab prophylaxis and no laboratory assay is validated to evaluate the hemostatic activity of emicizumab . OBJECTIVES: The thrombin generation assay (TGA) could be a surrogate marker of the hemostatic efficacy of emicizumab. The correlation between TGA and the methods used to measure emicizumab blood concentration was evaluated in this study. METHODS: TGA was modified by the use of a trigger reagent combining a very low concentration of tissue factor (TF) and activated factor XI (FXIa). Emicizumab quantification was performed by three methods, the modified one-step factor VIII (FVIII) assay, and two methods based on liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC-MS). RESULTS: Using TF/FXIa-triggered TGA and platelet-poor plasma, a relationship was observed between the area under the thrombin generation curve (ETP) and the clinical response of patients to emicizumab. The ultrastructure of fibrin clots was consistent with ETP results and showed that emicizumab had a hemostatic activity equivalent to 20-30 IU/dL of factor VIII. Finally, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analyses showed no correlation between ETP and LC-MS nor with modified one-stage FVIII assay, but a statistically significant correlation between the LC-MS methods and the time to peak results of TGA. CONCLUSION: Using a modified TGA, this study showed that patients who experienced breakthrough bleeds while on emicizumab had a lower thrombin generating capacity compared to others with good clinical response to emicizumab.

Interim analyses of the multinational real-world prospective cohort HEM-POWR study evaluating the effectiveness and safety of damoctocog alfa pegol in patients with hemophilia A.

OBJECTIVES: To assess effectiveness and safety of damoctocog alfa pegol in interim analyses of the ongoing real-world hemophilia A HEM-POWR study. METHODS: HEM-POWR (NCT03932201) is a multinational Phase 4 prospective observational study. The primary objective was annualized bleeding rate (ABR) in previously treated patients (PTPs) with hemophilia A. Secondary objectives included adverse events and number of affected joints. RESULTS: At data cut-off (August 17, 2022), the safety analysis set included 268 patients and the full analysis set (FAS) included 161 patients. The most common dosing regimen during observation period was prophylaxis (FAS = 158/161, 98.1%) every 3-4 days (twice weekly; FAS = 78/158, 49.4%) and a median (min, max) infusion dose of 37.5 (10, 72) IU/kg. PTPs receiving prophylactic damoctocog alfa pegol have fewer infusions compared with prior treatment. Median total ABR (Q1, Q3) was 0.0 (0.0, 1.8) and mean total ABR (SD) was 2.4 (8.2). The proportion of patients with no affected joints increased between initial visit and follow-up. No FVIII inhibitors, treatment-related adverse events, or deaths were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Damoctocog alfa pegol shows effectiveness and acceptable safety, as well as consistent utilization, in real-world PTPs with hemophilia A, including in patients with non-severe hemophilia and those with a history of inhibitors. Please see video for a summary of this study.

Protein S antibody as an adjunct therapy for hemophilia B.

ABSTRACT: Hemophilia B (HB) is caused by an inherited deficiency of plasma coagulation factor IX (FIX). Approximately 60% of pediatric patients with HB possess a severe form of FIX deficiency (<1% FIX activity). Treatment typically requires replacement therapy through the administration of FIX. However, exogenous FIX has a limited functional half-life, and the natural anticoagulant protein S (PS) inhibits activated FIX (FIXa). PS ultimately limits thrombin formation, which limits plasma coagulation. This regulation of FIXa activity by PS led us to test whether inhibiting PS would extend the functional half-life of FIX and thereby prolong FIX-based HB therapy. We assayed clotting times and thrombin generation to measure the efficacy of a PS antibody for increasing FIX activity in commercially obtained plasma and plasma from pediatric patients with HB. We included 11 pediatric patients who lacked additional comorbidities and coagulopathies. In vivo, we assessed thrombus formation in HB mice in the presence of the FIXa ± PS antibody. We found an accelerated rate of clotting in the presence of PS antibody. Similarly, the peak thrombin formed was significantly greater in the presence of the PS antibody, even in plasma from patients with severe HB. Furthermore, HB mice injected with PS antibody and FIX had a 4.5-fold higher accumulation of fibrin at the thrombus induction site compared with mice injected with FIX alone. Our findings imply that a PS antibody would be a valuable adjunct to increase the effectiveness of FIX replacement therapy in pediatric patients who have mild, moderate, and severe HB.

Real-world safety and effectiveness of recombinant porcine sequence factor VIII in acquired haemophilia A: A non-interventional, post-authorization safety study.

INTRODUCTION: Recombinant porcine factor VIII (rpFVIII, susoctocog alfa) is indicated for the treatment of bleeding episodes in adults with acquired haemophilia A (AHA). AIM: To provide long-term real-world safety and effectiveness data for rpFVIII in the management of AHA bleeding episodes. METHODS: US PASS (NCT02610127) was a multicentre, uncontrolled, open-label, post-marketing safety surveillance study conducted in adults with AHA. Data were collected retrospectively or prospectively for 180 days after rpFVIII treatment. The primary outcome was the incidence of treatment-related serious adverse events (SAEs). Secondary outcomes included haemostatic effectiveness of rpFVIII and rpFVIII utilization. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients were enrolled from December 2015 to June 2019 (prospective, n = 30; retrospective, n = 23). Six patients experienced seven treatment-related SAEs (incidence 12.0%). The most common treatment-related SAE was FVIII inhibition (inhibiting antibodies to rpFVIII; incidence 8.0%, 95% CI: 2.2-19.2). Five patients reported seven thromboembolic events; one was an SAE and possibly related to rpFVIII. Of bleeding events treated with rpFVIII, 80.3% (57/71) of bleeds resolved with rpFVIII. The median (range) dose of rpFVIII per infusion was 50 (10-300) units/kg, with a median (range) of 6.0 (1-140) infusions and a median (range) time from bleed onset to bleed resolution of 14.0 (2.0-132.7) days. CONCLUSION: In this real-world study of rpFVIII for AHA, no new safety signals were identified compared with previous clinical trial findings. Eighty percent of bleeds resolved with rpFVIII treatment.

Managing Pregnant Women with Hemophilia and von Willebrand Disease: How Do We Provide Optimum Care and Prevent Complications?

The challenge of pregnancy can be significant to the point of being life-threatening in a woman with a bleeding disorder. Additionally there can be a risk to the fetus and the neonate. A hemostatic defect can affect the course of the pregnancy, but the impact is most feared around delivery in the immediate and the extended post partum period, requiring rapid identification and prompt referral to a hematologist for assistance in management. Identifying the type of congenital bleeding disorder and knowing its inheritance pattern is crucial during counseling prior to conception and in preparation for delivery. A comprehensive approach by a specialized and experienced team in a tertiary care center with access to adequate laboratory monitoring and therapies can facilitate the process. The multidisciplinary team should include a hematologist, an obstetrician, a pediatric hematologist, an anesthesiologist, and in select cases a clinical geneticist and a maternal fetal medicine specialist. In this review article, we will detail the diagnostic path and management of pregnancy and delivery in women with some inherited bleeding disorders, in particular those affected by hemophilia A (HA), hemophilia B (HB), and von Willebrand disease (VWD).

Design of the HEM-POWR study: a prospective, observational study of real-world treatment with damoctocog alfa pegol in patients with haemophilia A.

INTRODUCTION: Haemophilia A is a rare bleeding disorder caused by defects in coagulation factor VIII (FVIII). Damoctocog alfa pegol (BAY 94-9027, Jivi, Bayer, Germany) is a site-specifically PEGylated, extended-half-life, recombinant FVIII, approved for use in previously treated patients (PTPs) aged ≥12 years with haemophilia A. However, a real-world evidence regarding routine clinical use of damoctocog alfa pegol is limited. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: HEM-POWR is a multinational, multicentre, non-interventional, prospective, postmarketing cohort study evaluating the effectiveness and safety of real-world treatment with damoctocog alfa pegol. Estimated enrolment is ≥200 PTPs with haemophilia A, receiving damoctocog alfa pegol (on-demand, prophylaxis or intermittent prophylaxis (as per local label)), observed for 36 months. Primary outcomes are total bleeding events and annualised bleeding rate; secondary outcomes include long-term safety, joint health, pharmacokinetics, patient-reported outcomes (PROs) from validated questionnaires and perioperative haemostasis. Where applicable, reasons for switching to damoctocog alfa pegol, choice of treatment regimen and dose will also be captured. Exploratory and descriptive statistical analyses will be performed, and will be stratified by parameters including, but not limited to, prophylaxis regimen and haemophilia severity. Patients can record bleeds and consumption in electronic (e) Diaries, ePROs, and can access non-promotional study information (videos explaining study procedures) via an online patient portal. Optionally, patients can enrol in the LIFE-ACTIVE substudy designed to investigate the relationship between activity (measured by the ActiGraph CP Insight watch) and effectiveness parameters collected from HEM-POWR. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Study approval was obtained by local independent ethics committees and authorities in participating study centres across Europe, the Americas and Asia. Informed consent from patients or their legal representative is a requirement for participation. The study results will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal and presented at scientific conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS: NCT03932201, EUPAS26416. PROTOCOL VERSION AND DATE: V.1.2, 27 September 2019.

Current concepts in the management of stable ischemic heart disease and acute coronary syndrome in patients with hemophilia.

Coronary artery disease (CAD), including stable ischemic heart disease (SIHD) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS), remains the leading cause of death in the US and one of the primary modalities used in the treatment of CAD is percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Despite the potential benefits of PCI in high risk CAD patients, the risk of hemorrhage presents a dilemma in the treatment of patients with hemophilia A and B. In an attempt to provide guidance on the management of SIHD and ACS in patients with hemophilia, we present the case of a patient with moderate hemophilia B and ACS who subsequently underwent PCI followed by a review of the associated literature.

Bypassing agent prophylaxis in people with hemophilia A or B with inhibitors.

BACKGROUND: People with hemophilia A or B with inhibitors are at high risk of bleeding complications. Infusion of bypassing agents, such as recombinant activated FVII (rFVIIa) and plasma-derived activated prothrombin complex concentrate, are suggested as alternative therapies to factor VIII (haemophilia A) or IX (haemophilia B) for individuals who no longer respond to these treatments because they develop inhibitory antibodies. The ultimate goal of treatment is to preserve the individual's joints, otherwise destroyed by recurrent bleeds. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of bypassing agent prophylaxis to prevent bleeding in people with hemophilia A or B and inhibitors. SEARCH METHODS: We searched for relevant studies from the Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group's Coagulopathies Trials Register, comprising of references identified from comprehensive electronic database searches and handsearches of relevant journals and abstract books of conference proceedings. We also searched trial registries (16 February 2017) and bibliographic references of retrieved studies were reviewed for potential articles to be included in the review.Date of the last search of the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Coagulopathies Trials Register: 12 December 2016. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomized and quasi-randomized controlled studies (cross-over or parallel design) evaluating the effect of prophylaxis treatment with bypassing agents compared with on-demand treatment, or studies evaluating the effects of high-dose compared with low-dose prophylaxis in males of any age with hemophilia with inhibitors. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently selected studies and extracted data and assessed the risk of bias according to standard Cochrane criteria. They assessed the quality of the evidence using the GRADE criteria. MAIN RESULTS: We included four randomized studies (duration 7 to 15 months) involving 116 males. Risk of bias was judged to be high in two studies due to the open-label study design and in one study due to attrition bias.Two studies compared on-demand treatment to prophylaxis with bypassing agents. In one study (34 males) prophylaxis significantly reduced mean overall bleeding rates, MD - 7.27 (95% CI -9.92 to -4.62) (low quality evidence), mean number of overall bleeding events per month, MD -1.10 (95% CI -1.54 to -0.66), mean number of hemarthrosis, MD -6.60 (95% CI -9.32 to -3.88) (low quality evidence) and mean number of joints that had hemarthrosis, MD -0.90 (95% CI -1.36 to -0.44). The meta-analysis did not conclusively demonstrate significant benefit of prophylaxis on health-related quality of life as measured by Haem-A-QoL score, EQ-5D total score and utility score, EQ-5D VAS and SF-36 physical summary and mental summary score (low quality evidence for all health-related quality of life analyses).The remaining two studies compared dose regimens. The results from one study (22 males) did not conclusively demonstrate benefit or harm of high-dose versus low-dose recombinant activated factor VIIa (rFVIIa) as a prophylaxis for overall bleeding rate, MD -0.82 (95% CI -2.27 to 0.63) (moderate quality evidence), target joint bleeding rate, MD -3.20 (95% CI -7.23 to 0.83) (moderate quality evidence) and serious adverse events, RR 9.00 (95% CI, 0.54 to 149.50) (moderate quality evidence).The overall quality of evidence was moderate to low due to imprecision from limited information provided by studies with small sample sizes and incomplete outcome data in one study. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The evidence suggests that prophylaxis with bypassing agents may be effective in reducing bleeding in males with hemophilia with inhibitors. However, there is a lack of evidence for the superiority of one agent over the other or for the optimum dosage regimen. Further studies are needed to evaluate the benefits and harms of prophylaxis treatment on health-related quality of life, as well as the effects of dose of bypassing agents on the outcomes.

What is the role of an extended half-life product in immune tolerance induction in a patient with severe hemophilia A and high-titer inhibitors?

A 10-year-old boy presents with a history of severe hemophilia A and high-titer inhibitor that had failed high-dose immune tolerance induction (ITI) with a recombinant factor VIII (rFVIII) product and a plasma-derived FVIII product. You are asked by his mother whether he should be tried on ITI with an extended half-life product, in particular, consideration of a rFVIIIFc concentrate.

Acquired hemophilia A: emerging treatment options.

Acquired hemophilia A is a rare autoimmune disorder caused by an autoantibody (inhibitor) to factor VIII (FVIII) that interferes with its coagulant function and predisposes to severe, potentially life-threatening hemorrhage. Disease management focuses on controlling bleeding, primarily with the use of bypassing therapy and recombinant porcine FVIII, and permanently eradicating the autoantibody using various immunosuppressants. Treatment challenges include delayed diagnosis, difficulty achieving hemostasis and durable remissions, and complications associated with the use of hemostatic and immunosuppressive therapy in a primarily older patient population.

Use of Factor XIII (FXIII) concentrate in patients with congenital FXIII deficiency undergoing surgical procedures.

BACKGROUND: Patients with congenital Factor XIII (FXIII) deficiency have impaired fibrin stabilization and are at high risk for surgical bleeding. Data regarding the use of FXIII concentrates before and during surgery are lacking. The objective of this study was to report the use of plasma-derived FXIII concentrate (Corifact in the United States; Fibrogammin P in other countries) in patients with congenital FXIII deficiency undergoing surgical procedures. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: FXIII concentrate at preoperative doses ranging from 25 to 40 U/kg was administered to six patients with congenital FXIII deficiency undergoing major or minor surgeries. RESULTS: FXIII concentrate was administered immediately before surgery for five surgical cases; three of these patients achieved excellent hemostasis during and after surgery, while two had intraoperative bleeding. In one surgical case, a regular prophylactic dose of FXIII concentrate was administered to the patient 1 week before minor surgery. FXIII concentrate provided rapid replacement of FXIII activity. In all but one of the patients given a dose of FXIII designed to increase FXIII levels more than 50%, there was satisfactory intraoperative and postoperative hemostasis. One patient undergoing aortic valve replacement on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was the exception. Intraoperative bleeding in this patient was associated with lower-than-expected blood levels of FXIII. CONCLUSION: Preoperative plasma-derived FXIII concentrate allowed for sufficient hemostasis in most patients with FXIII deficiencies. Additional doses were necessary to achieve hemostasis in one patient who underwent a CPB procedure.

Bortezomib in plasmablastic lymphoma: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is an aggressive subtype of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). While classically associated with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), cases of PBL in immunocompetent patients have been increasingly described. PBL shares common morphological and immunohistochemical features with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and multiple myeloma (MM). Due to the rarity of PBL, there is no current consensual standard therapy available. As a result, PBL treatment is mirrored after aggressive NHL regimens. One of the newly emerged therapeutic options for PBL is bortezomib, which is a proteasome inhibitor and a cornerstone in MM therapy. In recently published cases, bortezomib has shown promising results in PBL. CASE REPORT: In this report, we describe a patient with HIV-negative PBL who dramatically responded to bortezomib after failing several other lines of therapy. We also review 4 other, similar cases reported in the literature. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: We conclude that bortezomib resulted in rapid and dramatical responses regardless of the line of therapy. Although most of these responses were not sustained, bortezomib represents a new therapeutic option for PBL that should be further explored in larger clinical trials.