Phase 3 Trial of Concizumab in Hemophilia with Inhibitors.

BACKGROUND: Concizumab is an anti-tissue factor pathway inhibitor monoclonal antibody designed to achieve hemostasis in all hemophilia types, with subcutaneous administration. A previous trial of concizumab (explorer4) established proof of concept in patients with hemophilia A or B with inhibitors. METHODS: We conducted the explorer7 trial to assess the safety and efficacy of concizumab in patients with hemophilia A or B with inhibitors. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:2 ratio to receive no prophylaxis for at least 24 weeks (group 1) or concizumab prophylaxis for at least 32 weeks (group 2) or were nonrandomly assigned to receive concizumab prophylaxis for at least 24 weeks (groups 3 and 4). After a treatment pause due to nonfatal thromboembolic events in three patients receiving concizumab, including one from the explorer7 trial, concizumab therapy was restarted with a loading dose of 1.0 mg per kilogram of body weight, followed by 0.2 mg per kilogram daily (potentially adjusted on the basis of concizumab plasma concentration as measured at week 4). The primary end-point analysis compared treated spontaneous and traumatic bleeding episodes in group 1 and group 2. Safety, patient-reported outcomes, and pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics were also assessed. RESULTS: Of 133 enrolled patients, 19 were randomly assigned to group 1 and 33 to group 2; the remaining 81 were assigned to groups 3 and 4. The estimated mean annualized bleeding rate in group 1 was 11.8 episodes (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.0 to 19.9), as compared with 1.7 episodes (95% CI, 1.0 to 2.9) in group 2 (rate ratio, 0.14 [95% CI, 0.07 to 0.29]; P<0.001). The overall median annualized bleeding rate for patients receiving concizumab (groups 2, 3, and 4) was 0 episodes. No thromboembolic events were reported after concizumab therapy was restarted. The plasma concentrations of concizumab remained stable over time. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with hemophilia A or B with inhibitors, the annualized bleeding rate was lower with concizumab prophylaxis than with no prophylaxis. (Funded by Novo Nordisk; explorer7 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04083781.).

Fitusiran prophylaxis in people with hemophilia A or B who switched from prior BPA/CFC prophylaxis: the ATLAS-PPX trial.

ABSTRACT: Fitusiran, a subcutaneous investigational small interfering RNA therapeutic, targets antithrombin to rebalance hemostasis in people with hemophilia A or B (PwHA/B), irrespective of inhibitor status. This phase 3, open-label study evaluated the efficacy and safety of fitusiran prophylaxis in males aged ≥12 years with hemophilia A or B, with or without inhibitors, who received prior bypassing agent (BPA)/clotting factor concentrate (CFC) prophylaxis. Participants continued their prior BPA/CFC prophylaxis for 6 months before switching to once-monthly 80 mg fitusiran prophylaxis for 7 months (onset and efficacy periods). Primary end point was annualized bleeding rate (ABR) in the BPA/CFC prophylaxis and fitusiran efficacy period. Secondary end points included spontaneous ABR (AsBR) and joint ABR (AjBR). Safety and tolerability were assessed. Of 80 enrolled participants, 65 (inhibitor, n = 19; noninhibitor, n = 46) were eligible for ABR analyses. Observed median ABRs were 6.5 (interquartile range [IQR], 2.2-19.6)/4.4 (IQR, 2.2-8.7) with BPA/CFC prophylaxis vs 0.0 (IQR, 0.0-0.0)/0.0 (IQR, 0.0-2.7) in the corresponding fitusiran efficacy period. Estimated mean ABRs were substantially reduced with fitusiran by 79.7% (P = .0021) and 46.4% (P = .0598) vs BPA/CFC prophylaxis, respectively. Forty-one participants (63.1%) experienced 0 treated bleeds with fitusiran vs 11 (16.9%) with BPAs/CFCs. Median AsBR and AjBR were both 2.2 with BPA/CFC prophylaxis and 0.0 in the fitusiran efficacy period. Two participants (3.0%) experienced suspected or confirmed thromboembolic events with fitusiran. Once-monthly fitusiran prophylaxis significantly reduced bleeding events vs BPA/CFC prophylaxis in PwHA/B, with or without inhibitors, and reported adverse events were generally consistent with previously identified risks of fitusiran. This trial was registered at www.ClinicalTrials.gov as #NCT03549871.

Prophylaxis with recombinant von Willebrand factor in patients with type 3 von Willebrand disease: Results of a post hoc analysis from a phase 3 trial.

OBJECTIVES: To describe efficacy/safety of recombinant von Willebrand factor (rVWF) prophylaxis in patients with type 3 von Willebrand disease (VWD). METHODS: This post hoc analysis of a phase 3 open-label trial provides a more detailed analysis of adults with type 3 VWD, categorized based on prior treatment at screening: "Prior On-Demand (OD)" (OD VWF; ≥3 documented spontaneous bleeding events [BEs] requiring VWF in previous 12 months) or "Switch" (plasma-derived [pd] VWF prophylaxis for ≥12 months). Annualized bleeding rates (ABRs) were evaluated during 12 months of rVWF prophylaxis versus historical data from medical records. RESULTS: In the Prior OD group (n = 10), mean spontaneous ABR (sABR) for treated BEs was reduced by 91.6% (ratio, 0.08; 95% CI, 0.02-0.45) versus mean historical sABR. In the Switch group (n = 8), mean sABR for treated BEs was reduced by 47% (ratio, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.08-3.62). One non-serious adverse event (AE) was considered possibly related to rVWF. No treatment-related, fatal, or life-threatening serious AEs were reported, and no patient developed VWF inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS: rVWF prophylaxis reduced sABR in type 3 VWD patients previously treated with OD VWF therapy, and maintained a similar level of hemostatic control in those switching from pdVWF prophylaxis to rVWF prophylaxis.

Results of multicenter registry for patients with inherited factor VII deficiency in Turkey.

INTRODUCTION: Inherited factor VII (FVII) deficiency (FVIID) is the most common of inherited rare bleeding disorders. Other determinants of clinical severity apart from FVII level (FVIIL) include genetic and environmental factors. We aimed to identify the cut-off FVIILs for general and severe bleedings in patients with FVIID by using an online national registry system including clinical, laboratory, and demographic characteristics of patients. METHODS: Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data of patients with FVIID extracted from the national database, constituted by the Turkish Society of Hematology, were examined. Bleeding phenotypes, general characteristics, and laboratory features were assessed in terms of FVIILs. Bleeding rates and prophylaxis during special procedures/interventions were also recorded. RESULTS: Data from 197 patients showed that 46.2% of patients had FVIIL< 10%. Most bleeds were of mucosal origin (67.7%), and severe bleeds tended to occur in younger patients (median age: 15 (IQR:6-29)). Cut-off FVIILs for all and severe bleeds were 16.5% and 7.5%, respectively. The major reason for long-term prophylaxis was observed as central nervous system bleeding (80%). CONCLUSION: Our data are consistent with most of the published literature in terms of cut-off FVIIL for bleeding, as well as reasons for prophylaxis, showing both an increased severity of bleeding and younger age at diagnosis with decreasing FVIIL. However, in order to offer a classification similar to that in Hemophilia A or B, data of a larger cohort with information about environmental and genetic factors are required.

Desires vs. conditions: A qualitative study exploring the factors affecting the place of death of child with cancer in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe factors affecting the place of death of children with cancer at the end of life. METHODS: The descriptive phenomenological approach was used. Eighteen mothers who lost their children to cancer participated in in-depth interviews. Data were analysed using MAXQDA software version. Codes and categories were developed inductively from participants' narratives. RESULTS: The factors affecting the place of death of children were categorised into two main themes: (1) desires and (2) conditions. Most of the mothers reported that their deceased children wanted to be with their families at the end of life and they wanted to go home. The conditions related to health services were defined as the barriers to the death of their children in the places of death preferred by the mothers. CONCLUSION: The desire to be close to the child was the main factor affecting the parents' decisions. The findings revealed the prevailing circumstances in the death place decision beyond parental desires. These were the child's health conditions, physical conditions of hospitals, and the lack of home care and paediatric palliative care services, which were factors related to the system, and the lack of other options for parents.

A Challenge for Hemophilia Treatment: Hemophilia and Cancer.

BACKGROUND: The risk of developing cancer increases with age and also adverse environmental conditions. The same holds true in the aging people with hemophilia (PwH). Furthermore, cancer is an important challenge for physicians working in multidisciplinary hemophilia care centers. AIM: Here, the authors report 7 hemophiliacs with malignancies diagnosed and managed at our center. STUDY DESIGN: Hemophilia A and B were included. METHOD: Patients with mild, moderate, or severe hemophilia A or B, who were followed-up in our center between January 1999 and December 2018 were included in the study. A total of 470 PwH (391 Hemophilia A and 79 Hemophilia B) were followed in this time period. RESULTS: With a minimum 1 and maximum 20 years (median: 11.5 y) of the following time, 7 of 470 (1.48%) PwH were diagnosed with cancer. The diagnosed cancer types were acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, thyroid cancer, rectum cancer, malign melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and gastric cancer. All patients except patients with leukemia had major surgical intervention and the hemostasis control was provided on the basis of institutional protocols. At the end of the study, all of the patients were alive besides the patient with acute myeloid leukemia. CONCLUSIONS: Nowadays, the management of PwH has improved immensely and the life span has progressively become similar to healthy male individuals. For accurate improvement and standardizing care, prospective data collection on the epidemiology of cancer in PwH is an important tool.

Flow cytometric analysis of platelet surface glycoproteins in the diagnosis of thirty-two Turkish patients with Glanzmann thrombasthenia: a multicenter experience

Background/aim: Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) is a rare autosomal recessively inherited bleeding disorder characterized by the quantitative (type 1 and type 2) or qualitative (type 3) deficiency in platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa (CD41a/CD61) fibrinogen receptors. In type 1, 2, and 3, CD41a/CD61 expression is 5%, 5%­20% and above 20%, respectively. In this study, diagnosis of GT was confirmed and subgroups were identified in 32 Turkish patients by flow cytometry analysis. Materials and methods: CD41a/CD61 expression levels in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) obtained from peripheral venous EDTA blood samples were analyzed with a BD FACSCanto II flow cytometer (Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA). GT subgroup analysis was performed by counting 50,000 events in the BD FACSDiva Software v6.1.3 program of the instrument. Results: In the present study, in blood samples of 32 patients from 23 families with GT and 22 healthy controls, co-expression levels of CD41a and CD61 in PRP was analyzed. 12 out of 23 families were consistent with type 1 GT (52.2%), 4 were consistent with type 2 GT (17.4%), and 7 were consistent with type 3 GT (30.4%). Conclusion: Especially due to consanguineous marriages, GT with various glycoprotein levels may be detected. As a result of the flow cytometry analysis of the present study with the highest GT patient population in Turkey, type 1 GT patients were the most common subgroup. In the determination of the GT subgroups; especially in the detection of type 3 GT, flow cytometry is the most sensitive glycoprotein analysis method. In addition to light transmission aggregometry, CD41a/CD61 study by flow cytometer confirms diagnosis when mutation analysis cannot be performed.

Prognostic factors of radiosynovectomy in haemophilia patients with inhibitors: Survival analysis in a 19-year period.

INTRODUCTION: People with haemophilia (PwH) with inhibitors have an increased risk of bleeding and early development of progressive arthropathy. Radiosynovectomy (RS) has been effective in dramatically reducing the frequency of haemarthroses. In the present study, the mid- and long-term results of the efficacy of RS in PwHs with inhibitors and prognostic factors that influence success and failure of RS were presented. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Radiosynovectomy was performed in 51 joints of 22 PwHs with inhibitors diagnosed with chronic haemophilic synovitis between January 2000 and December 2018. Two patients were lost to follow-up and four joints were excluded. Number of bleeding episodes within the pre- and post-treatment 6 months were documented. Treatment failure was defined as need for repeat RS injection. RESULTS: Results of 47 RS were analysed. The mean bleeding frequency of the joints was 11.2 ± 6.2 (median 9) within the last 6 months in the pre-treatment evaluation. After the treatment, the mean bleeding frequency of the joints decreased to 1.2 ± 2.8 (median 0) for first 6 months (P < .0001). The cumulative survival rate at 12 months was 87% and 78% at 36 months. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that cut-off points of 12 bleeding episodes within the last 6 months (sensitivity, 71.4; specificity, 81.8 P = .0022) and an inhibitor titre of 63.4 BU (sensitivity, 57.1; specificity, 75.8; P = .31) were threshold levels for a predisposition for failure. CONCLUSION: Radiosynovectomy is an effective and safe intervention in PwHs with inhibitors. Bleeding frequency is a prognostic marker for the success of RS treatment. Patients who have more than 12 bleeding episodes within the last 6 months before the RS treatment have a higher rate of failure.

Long-term safety and efficacy results from the phase 3b, open-label, multicentre Continuation study of rurioctocog alfa pegol for prophylaxis in previously treated patients with severe haemophilia A.

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies reported the efficacy and safety profile of extended half-life PEGylated recombinant factor VIII (FVIII) rurioctocog alfa pegol (TAK-660, SHP660, BAX 855) in preventing bleeding in haemophilia A patients. AIM: This study evaluated long-term safety and efficacy of rurioctocog alfa pegol for prophylaxis and treatment of bleeding in previously treated children and adults. METHODS: In this phase 3b, prospective, open-label, multicentre study (NCT01945593), eligible patients ≤ 75 years with severe haemophilia A (FVIII < 1%) received prophylactic rurioctocog alfa pegol in a fixed dose (FD, twice-weekly or less frequent) or pharmacokinetic (PK)-tailored dose regimen. Co-primary endpoints were incidence of confirmed FVIII inhibitory antibody development and spontaneous annualized bleed rate (ABR), analysed using a generalised linear model. Secondary endpoints included overall haemostatic efficacy, occurrence of adverse events and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). RESULTS: Overall, 216 patients were included; mean (SD) age at enrolment was 22.8 (15.7) years. No patients developed confirmed FVIII inhibitors. The point estimate (95% CI) of mean spontaneous ABR was 1.20 (0.92-1.56) among 186 patients receiving twice-weekly FD prophylaxis and 0.96 (0.54-1.71) among 25 patients receiving PK-tailored prophylaxis. Overall haemostatic efficacy was rated good or excellent in 88.6% of all bleeds. No new safety signals were observed. Patients reported improvements in HRQoL measures of pain, and physical and mental well-being. CONCLUSION: These results highlight the long-term safety and efficacy of rurioctocog alfa pegol prophylaxis in previously treated children and adults with severe haemophilia A, with a safety profile similar to previous studies and continuing ABR reduction.

Evaluation of Chromogenic Factor VIII Assay Compared with One-Stage Clotting Assay.

BACKGROUND: Congenital factor VIII (FVIII) deficiency causes hemophilia A due to different types of defects in the FVIII gene. Although the chromogenic measurement is the reference method and shows less variability, a one-stage assay is the most commonly preferred method for measurement of FVIII. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the analytical performances of chromogenic and one-stage assays, and compare the results prior to introduction of newly developed extended half-life recombinant FVIII products. METHODS: Sixty-six blood samples from residual material of Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Central Laboratory workflow comprised the study group. Samples were classified; plasma FVIII > 40 IU and FVIII < 40 IU. FVIII activities were measured using one-stage clotting and chromogenic assays on a CS-2500 analyzer. Analytical performances were determined through precision, linearity, carryover, and comparability studies. RESULTS: The within-run CV% of the one-stage assay on the CS-2500 had 1.6%, 2.6%, the between day CV% were 8.5%, 4.9 % for low and high controls, respectively. The within-run CV% of chromogenic method had 1.2% and 0.9%. Both methods demonstrated good linearity (R2 > 0.998), and the comparisons of both assays exhibited good agreement with minor bias for FVIII activity > 40 IU. However, a significant bias was obtained for FVIII activity < 40 IU. CONCLUSIONS: We obtained higher results using the one-stage assay compared with the chromogenic assay, and a significant bias was found for the samples lower than 40 IU. The discrepancy can explained by the presence of a weak agreement for samples lower than 10 IU due to the lower detection limit of the chromogenic assay used in this study (1.5%).

A Randomized Trial of Factor VIII and Neutralizing Antibodies in Hemophilia A.

BACKGROUND: The development of neutralizing anti-factor VIII alloantibodies (inhibitors) in patients with severe hemophilia A may depend on the concentrate used for replacement therapy. METHODS: We conducted a randomized trial to assess the incidence of factor VIII inhibitors among patients treated with plasma-derived factor VIII containing von Willebrand factor or recombinant factor VIII. Patients who met the eligibility criteria (male sex, age <6 years, severe hemophilia A, and no previous treatment with any factor VIII concentrate or only minimal treatment with blood components) were included from 42 sites. RESULTS: Of 303 patients screened, 264 underwent randomization and 251 were analyzed. Inhibitors developed in 76 patients, 50 of whom had high-titer inhibitors (≥5 Bethesda units). Inhibitors developed in 29 of the 125 patients treated with plasma-derived factor VIII (20 patients had high-titer inhibitors) and in 47 of the 126 patients treated with recombinant factor VIII (30 patients had high-titer inhibitors). The cumulative incidence of all inhibitors was 26.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 18.4 to 35.2) with plasma-derived factor VIII and 44.5% (95% CI, 34.7 to 54.3) with recombinant factor VIII; the cumulative incidence of high-titer inhibitors was 18.6% (95% CI, 11.2 to 26.0) and 28.4% (95% CI, 19.6 to 37.2), respectively. In Cox regression models for the primary end point of all inhibitors, recombinant factor VIII was associated with an 87% higher incidence than plasma-derived factor VIII (hazard ratio, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.17 to 2.96). This association did not change in multivariable analysis. For high-titer inhibitors, the hazard ratio was 1.69 (95% CI, 0.96 to 2.98). When the analysis was restricted to recombinant factor VIII products other than second-generation full-length recombinant factor VIII, effect estimates remained similar for all inhibitors (hazard ratio, 1.98; 95% CI, 0.99 to 3.97) and high-titer inhibitors (hazard ratio, 2.59; 95% CI, 1.11 to 6.00). CONCLUSIONS: Patients treated with plasma-derived factor VIII containing von Willebrand factor had a lower incidence of inhibitors than those treated with recombinant factor VIII. (Funded by the Angelo Bianchi Bonomi Foundation and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01064284; EudraCT number, 2009-011186-88.).

Low-dose Immune Tolerance Induction in Hemophilia: A Single-Center Experience.

INTRODUCTION: The development of inhibitors against factors VIII/IX is the most serious complication in hemophilia. The best treatment strategy for inhibitor eradication is immune tolerance induction (ITI). The aim of this study was to evaluate patients treated with low-dose ITI at a single center with limited resources. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 29 (8.05%) of 360 hemophilia A patients exhibited inhibitors. The data from hemophilia patients with inhibitors undergoing ITI between 1999 and 2017 were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Seventeen ITIs administered to 15 hemophilia A patients with inhibitors were analyzed, and the data from 13 ITIs conducted in 12 patients were evaluated. The median age at ITI onset was 10 years (range: 1.25 to 52 y). The maximum inhibitor titer before ITI was 30 Bethesda Units (BU) (range: 4.48 to 135), and the median inhibitor titer was 1.25 BU (range: 0 to 5.6) at the onset of ITI. The median time interval between the inhibitor development and ITI onset was 60 months (range: 7 to 264 mo). The median inhibitor titer during ITI was 3.4 BU (range: 0 to 158.7). At the end of the treatment, 4 of the 12 patients (33.3%) exhibited a complete response, 4 (33.3%) had partial responses (with continuing ITI), and 4 (33.3%) exhibited ITI failure. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of hemophilia patients with inhibitors is challenging, and ITI is the best treatment method; however, a high-dose daily ITI regimen cannot be given to every patient in every country due to its high cost. Our results show that low-dose ITI may be a choice for selected patients with inhibitors.

Vincristine, irinotecan, and temozolomide treatment for refractory/relapsed pediatric solid tumors: A single center experience.

BACKGROUND: Although the survival of pediatric cancer has increased dramatically in the last decades, the survival of refractory, relapsed, and metastatic cases is still dismal. The combination of irinotecan and temozolomide has shown activity against refractory/relapsed pediatric solid tumors. METHOD: Thirty-four children with refractory/relapsed solid tumors who had previously been heavily pretreated and who were given vincristine, irinotecan, and temozolomide as third- or further line chemotherapy during 2004-2015 were evaluated. RESULTS: Patients were diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma (n = 15), rhabdomyosarcoma (n = 8), neuroblastoma (n = 8), osteosarcoma (n = 2), and Wilms' tumor (n = 1). Thirty patients presented with disease progression on therapy and the other four presented with relapsing. A total of 141 cycles were administered. Radiotherapy was used in 17 patients and surgery in 4 as local therapy. Among all patients, 6 had complete response, 3 had partial response, 14 had stable disease, and 11 had progressive disease. The objective response was 26.4% (complete response + partial response) and median survival duration was six months. The first and second year overall survival rates were 22.3% and 16.8%. The objective response in Ewing sarcoma patients was 40%. Diarrhea was the most common toxicity and 14 (10%) courses were associated with grade 3-4 diarrhea. CONCLUSIONS: In heavily pretreated patients with refractory/relapsed solid tumors, the vincristine, irinotecan, and temozolomide regimen seemed promising in Ewing sarcoma patients and was well tolerated.

Simultaneous Presentation of Wilms' Tumor and Contralateral Ganglioneuroma in a Child: Case Report and Literature Review.

We demonstrate a 4-year-old girl who presented with progressive, asymmetrical, firm abdominal distention and was diagnosed with synchronous Wilms' tumor and left para-aortic ganglioneuroma (GN). Although synchronous tumors in the pediatric population are commonly associated with malignancy-predisposing syndromes, the patient in question was found to be otherwise healthy and had no clinical evidence nor family history of a syndrome. This case is the second one in the literature diagnosed with synchronous presentation of Wilms' tumor and GN in a previously healthy child. In addition, a GN foci presumed to be a previous metastasis of a neurogenic tumor that subsequently matured to GN was depicted within a left para-aortic lymph node. We aimed to emphasize an extremely rare synchronous occurrence of these embryonal tumors, increase the awareness of physicians, and discuss the radiologic differential diagnosis and management.

Anti-inhibitor coagulant complex prophylaxis in hemophilia with inhibitors.

BACKGROUND: Patients with severe hemophilia A and factor VIII inhibitors are at increased risk for serious bleeding complications and progression to end-stage joint disease. Effective strategies to prevent bleeding in such patients have not yet been established. METHODS: We enrolled patients with hemophilia A who were older than 2 years of age, had high-titer inhibitors, and used concentrates known as bypassing agents for bleeding in a prospective, randomized, crossover study comparing 6 months of anti-inhibitor coagulant complex (AICC), infused prophylactically at a target dose of 85 U per kilogram of body weight (±15%) on 3 nonconsecutive days per week, with 6 months of on-demand therapy (AICC at a target dose of 85 U per kilogram [±15%] used for bleeding episodes). The two treatment periods were separated by a 3-month washout period, during which patients received on-demand therapy for bleeding. The primary outcome was the number of bleeding episodes during each 6-month treatment period. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients underwent randomization; 26 patients completed both treatment periods and could be evaluated per protocol for the efficacy analysis. As compared with on-demand therapy, prophylaxis was associated with a 62% reduction in all bleeding episodes (P<0.001), a 61% reduction in hemarthroses (P<0.001), and a 72% reduction in target-joint bleeding (≥3 hemarthroses in a single joint during a 6-month treatment period) (P<0.001). Thirty-three randomly assigned patients received at least one infusion of the study drug and were evaluated for safety. One patient had an allergic reaction to the study drug. CONCLUSIONS: AICC prophylaxis at the dosage evaluated significantly and safely decreased the frequency of joint and other bleeding events in patients with severe hemophilia A and factor VIII inhibitors. (Funded by Baxter BioScience; Pro-FEIBA ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00221195.).

A Polymorphism in the IL-5 Gene is Associated with Inhibitor Development in Severe Hemophilia A Patients.

OBJECTIVE: A severe complication in the replacement therapy of hemophilia A (HA) patients is the development of alloantibodies (inhibitors) against factor VIII, which neutralizes the substituted factor. The primary genetic risk factors influencing the development of inhibitors are F8 gene mutations. Interleukins and cytokines that are involved in the regulation of B-lymphocyte development are other possible targets as genetic risk factors. This study assesses the possible involvement of 9 selected single nucleotide gene polymorphisms (SNPs) with interleukins (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-ß1), and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in inhibitor development in severely affected HA patients carrying a null mutation in the F8 gene. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 173 HA patients were screened for intron 22 inversion and null mutations (nonsense and deletions). Genotyping of a total of 9 SNPs in genes IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, TGF-ß1, and IFN-γ in 103 patients and 100 healthy individuals was carried out. RESULTS: An association analysis between 42 inhibitor (+) and 61 inhibitor (-) patients showed a significant association with the T allele of rs2069812 in the IL-5 gene promoter and patients with inhibitors (p=0.0251). The TT genotype was also significantly associated with this group with a p-value of 0.0082, odds ratio of about 7, and confidence interval of over 90%, suggesting that it is the recessive susceptibility allele and that the C allele is the dominant protective allele. CONCLUSION: The lack of other variants in the IL-5 gene of patients and controls suggests that rs2069812 may be a regulatory SNP and may have a role in B-lymphocyte development, constituting a genetic risk factor in antibody development.

The Effectiveness of a New Hemostatic Agent (Ankaferd Blood Stopper) for the Control of Bleeding following Tooth Extraction in Hemophilia: A Controlled Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the hemostatic efficacy of a new local hemostatic agent, Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS), for the control of bleeding following tooth extraction in hemophiliacs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Simple tooth extractions were performed in 27 hemophilia A patients. In the treatment group (n=17) local hemostasis was achieved via application of ABS to the extraction sockets, whereas in the control group (n=10) local hemostasis was achieved via direct packing with gauze. RESULTS: In all, 57 (21 primary and 36 permanent) teeth extractions were performed in 27 hemophilia A patients. There were no significant differences in age or factor VIII level distribution between the 2 groups (p>0.05). The most significant clinical difference between the groups was associated with the use of ABS; those in the treatment group had significantly shorter duration of bleeding (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: This is the first study to evaluate the efficacy of ABS for the control of bleeding following tooth extraction in hemophiliacs. ABS can be considered an alternative local hemostatic agent for reducing clotting factor concentrates in hemophilia patients. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None declared.

The Effects of Exercise Training on Physical Activity Level, Daily Living Activities, and Participation in Children with Hemophilia.

OBJECTIVE: Hemophilia is an uncommon disorder that is difficult to diagnose and manage. Effective movement and individual physiotherapy interventions can improve physical activity levels, quality of life, and participation in children with hemophilia. This study aimed to investigate the effects of individually planned exercise on joint health, functional level, pain, participation, and quality of life in children with hemophilia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine children with hemophilia (aged 8-18 years) were randomized into either an exercise group with physiotherapists (n = 14) or a counseling home-exercise group (n = 15). Pain, range of motion, and strength were measured using a visual analog scale, goniometer, and digital dynamometer, respectively. Joint health, functional capacity, participation, quality of life, and physical activity were assessed using the Hemophilia Joint Health Status, 6-Minute Walk Test, Canadian Occupation Performance Measure, Pediatrics Quality of Life, and International Physical Activity Questionnaire, respectively. The exercises were planned individually according to the needs of both groups. Additionally, the exercise group performed the exercise with a physiotherapist. Interventions were performed 3 days/week for 8 weeks. RESULTS: The Hemophilia Joint Health Status, 6-Minute Walk Test, Canadian Occupation Performance Measure, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, muscle strength, and range of motion (elbow, knee, and ankle) were significantly improved in both groups (P < .05). Compared with the counseling home-exercise program group, the exercise group had better results in the 6-Minute Walk Test, muscle strength, and range of motion (knee and ankle flexion) (P < .05). No significant difference was found in pain and Pediatrics Quality of Life scores in both groups. CONCLUSION: Using individually planned exercise in children with hemophilia is an effective physiotherapy approach to improve physical activity, participation, functional level, and joint health.

The Effects of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic on Patients with Hemophilia and Inherited Bleeding Disorders: Results from 2 Centers in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with inherited bleeding disorders faced problems in accessing healthcare during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. This study aimed to investigate the health problems of patients with inherited bleeding disorders during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Children and adult patients with inherited bleeding disorders who had a coronavirus disease 2019 infection between March 2020 and November 2021 were retrospec- tively evaluated. RESULTS: Seven hundred seventy-two patients were reviewed, and 65 patients who had a coro- navirus disease 2019 infection (Male/Female: 58/7, mean age 28.2 ±14.1 years) were analyzed. Sixty patients (92%) had hemophilia A or B or von Willebrand's disease and 5 (8%) had rare bleeding disorders. Sixteen (24.6%) patients had a comorbid disease and 6 (9.2%) needed hospitalization due to severe coronavirus disease 2019 infection. Seven patients (10.7%) expe- rienced a bleeding episode and were treated with factor concentrates. Totally, 64 (98.46%) patients recovered from the coronavirus disease 2019 infection and 1 died. CONCLUSION: Patients with inherited bleeding disorders and coronavirus disease 2019 infection mostly had a mild/moderate course of the disease.

The evaluation of fibrin sealants and tissue adhesives in oral surgery among patients with bleeding disorders.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of two local hemostatic agents administered with apreoperative dose of replacement therapy in patients with bleeding disorders undergoing oral surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 21 patients that were randomly divided into 3 groups. Patients in Group1 (n = 7) received preoperative replacement therapy and postoperative fibrin sealant applied to the surgical site. Patientsin Group 2 (n = 7) received preoperative replacement therapy and postoperative tissue adhesive applied to the surgicalsite. Patients in Group 3 (n = 7) were given replacement therapy pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS: Postoperative bleeding was not observed in 17 of the 21 patients, including 5 in Group 1 (71.42%), 6 in Group2 (85.71%), and 6 in Group 3 (85.71%). Hemorrhagic complications occurred in only 4 of the 21 patients. CONCLUSION: The use of fibrin sealant and tissue adhesive was beneficial, as they reduced the level of factor concentratesused for replacement therapy and resulted in rapid hemostasis at the surgical site, facilitating the ability to performserial surgical procedures concurrently.