Polystyrene derivatives as candidates for extracorporeal adsorption of Factor VIII antibodies in the management of haemophiliac patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This article presents a new approach for removing the Factor VIII inhibitors (anti-FVIII) in haemophiliac patients by immunoadsorption using an affinity matrix. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten blood samples from haemophiliac patients with anti-FVIII were assayed for antibodies, total immunoglobulins, procoagulant proteins and complement C3 protein after circulation over one or two columns filled with the polymers under investigation. RESULTS: These new synthetic sorbents are able to remove in vitro 90% of anti-FVIII from haemophiliac plasma with inhibitors (up to 540 Bethesda Units/ml). Neither coagulation factor adsorption nor effects on complement system activation were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The data presented clearly show that these polymers allow a rapid and efficient reduction of inhibitor titre. In view of the parameters studied, these polymers fulfil the requirements for use in a blood purification process to decrease high inhibitor titres without losing essential proteins.