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Introduction A second peak of inhibitors has been reported in patients with severe hemophilia A (HA) aged >50 years in the United Kingdom. The reason for this suggested breakdown of tolerance in the aging population is unclear, as is the potential impact of regular exposure to the deficient factor by prophylaxis at higher age. No data on hemophilia B (HB) have ever been reported. Aim The ADVANCE Working Group investigated the incidence of late-onset inhibitors and the use of prophylaxis in patients with HA and HB aged ≥40 years. Methods A retrospective, observational, cohort, survey-based study of all patients aged ≥40 years with HA or HB treated at an ADVANCE hemophilia treatment center. Results Information on 3,095 people aged ≥40 years with HA or HB was collected. Of the 2,562 patients with severe HA, the majority (73% across all age groups) received prophylaxis. In patients with severe HA, the inhibitor incidence per 1,000 treatment years was 2.37 (age 40–49), 1.25 (age 50–59), and 1.45 (age 60 + ). Overall, the inhibitor incidence was greatest in those with moderate HA (5.77 [age 40–49], 6.59 [age 50–59], and 4.69 [age 60 + ]) and the majority of inhibitor cases were preceded by a potential immune system challenge. No inhibitors in patients with HB were reported. Conclusion Our data do not identify a second peak of inhibitor development in older patients with hemophilia. Prophylaxis may be beneficial in older patients with severe, and possibly moderate HA, to retain a tolerant state at a higher age.

Introduction The use of pharmacokinetic assessment for optimal prophylactic dosing of factor concentrates in haemophilia has gained increasing enthusiasm over the last decade. However, blood sampling on several occasions is burdensome and limited sampling using population-based PK is appealing. Aim To compare the pharmacokinetics and dosing recommendations for prophylaxis using six-point single subject versus population-based method (WAPPS-Hemo) for simoctocog alfa (Nuwiq® ). Methods Twelve adult patients with severe haemophilia A received a factor VIII (FVIII) dose of ≈50 IU/kg, and the activity was measured pre-infusion and at 30 min, 6, 9, 24 and 48 h post-infusion. Half-life (t1 /2 ), weight-normalized AUC and time to troughs of 5%, 3% and 1% were calculated. The correlation between the PK algorithms was assessed using intraclass correlations (ICC) and dosing estimations were provided. Results WAPPS-Hemo yielded a slightly longer mean t1 /2 , but the overall correlation between the methods was good (ICC ≥0.79) The time to troughs of 5%, 3% and 1% showed ICCs ≥0.86. For all variables, the most converging limited time point was 6+48 h. Additional time points did not improve the correlation. Despite similar pharmacokinetics, the mean estimated dose for a specific trough level varied from 60% less to 20% more using the population-based approach. The time to 1% and the corresponding dose was sensitive to the baseline assumption. Conclusion Our data support the use of population-based PK for patients on simoctocog alfa prophylaxis but also indicates differences, stressing the importance of the sampling scheme and monitoring actual FVIII levels achieved.

Introduction Data on outcome in persons with haemophilia B (PwHB) are limited and mainly extrapolated from studies of haemophilia A (HA). Aim To characterize treatment outcomes in persons with severe HB in the Nordic region, with a focus on joint health, compared with matched controls with HA. Methods PwHB attending haemophilia centres in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden were enrolled and matched with controls with HA. Joint assessment using Haemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS) and ultrasound according to Haemophilia Early Arthropathy Detection protocol (HEAD-US) was conducted. Adherence was evaluated using the Validated Haemophilia Regimen Treatment Adherence Scale (VERITAS). Results Seventy-nine males with HB, with median age of 30 years (range 1-75), were enrolled. Eleven patients (14%) had a history of or current inhibitor. Twenty-nine PwHB (37%) reported joint bleeds during the prior year, and 35% had previously undergone joint surgery. Ninety-five per cent were on prophylaxis, and 70% used recombinant concentrates, with a median factor consumption of 3,900 IU/kg/year for standard half-life products. Only two patients had a VERITAS score corresponding to 'non-adherence'. Joint health, assessed with HJHS, showed a significant lower score among PwHB compared with HA controls, explained by a difference in the 18-49 age group, without observed differences in older or younger subgroups. The HEAD-US scores were overall low. Conclusion The Nordic cohort of PwHB is well treated by prophylaxis, but the goal of zero bleeds for all is not reached. Our findings suggest that patients with severe HB suffer from a milder arthropathy than patients with severe HA.

Haemophilia B (HB) is less well studied than haemophilia A (HA); despite similarities between the two inherited bleeding disorders, important differences remain that require further research.B-Natural is a multi-centre, prospective, observational study of HB, designed to increase understanding of clinical manifestations, treatment, quality-of-life (QoL), inhibitor development, immune tolerance induction (ITI) outcome, renal function and create a biorepository for future investigations.Participants include sibling pairs/groups without a current/history of inhibitors and singletons or siblings with a current/history of inhibitors followed for six months. Demographics, medical, social history and treatment were recorded. A physical examination including joint range of motion (ROM) was performed; QoL was assessed. Samples were collected for F9 gene mutation, HLA typing, non-inhibitory antibodies and renal function testing.Twenty-four centres enrolled 224 individuals from 107 families including 29 with current/history of inhibitors. Of these, 68, 30.4%, had severe (1% FIX level of normal); 114, 50.9%, moderate (1%-5%); and 42, 18.8%, mild (5-40%) disease. At enrolment, 53.1% had 50 + exposure days to exogenous FIX. Comparison of joint scores showed significant (P .05) differences between those with severe (with/without inhibitors), and those with moderate/mild disease. The majority with severe disease, 80.0% with current/history of inhibitors and 64.3% of those without, were treated with prophylaxis.B-Natural provides data supporting an increased understanding of HB and its impact throughout life. The need for optimal disease control to normalize physical and psychosocial outcomes is underscored, and further analyses will contribute to an increased understanding of critical issues in HB.

INTRODUCTION: Recurrent bleeding in severe haemophilia B causes painful hemarthroses and reduces capacity for physical activity. Recombinant factor IX Fc fusion protein (rFIXFc) prophylaxis results in low annualised bleeding rates, with the potential to improve patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL). AIM: To present a post hoc analysis of data from B-LONG describing change over time in patient-reported outcomes associated with pain and physical activity. METHODS: Patients (≥12 years) who received weekly dose-adjusted or interval-adjusted rFIXFc prophylaxis and completed the Haemophilia-Specific QoL questionnaire for adolescents (Haemo-QoL) or adults (Haem-A-QoL) at baseline (BL) and end of study (EoS). Individual level changes in items of the 'Physical Health' and 'Sports and Leisure' domains, categorised as 'never/rarely/seldom' or 'sometimes/often/all the time', were analysed using McNemar's test to compare distribution of responses at EoS versus BL. RESULTS: At EoS versus BL, a significantly greater proportion of patients did not experience painful swellings (64% vs. 44%; P = .004), painful joints (44% vs. 28%; P = .003) or pain when moving (54% vs. 41%; P = .026). Additionally, at EoS versus BL, patients were less likely to avoid participating in sports like football (30% vs. 8%; P = .002), avoid sports due to their haemophilia (47% vs. 27%; P = .007), or experience difficulty walking as far as they wanted (63% vs. 43%; P = .001). The proportion of patients who played sports as much as the general population was numerically increased (52% vs. 37%; P = .033) at EoS versus BL. CONCLUSION: Results of the analysis suggest that over time, rFIXFc prophylaxis is associated with significant improvements in pain and physical functioning. This contributes to previous evidence of overall HRQoL improvements in patients with haemophilia B treated with rFIXFc.

Jan Astermark,1 Piotr Wojciechowski,2 Samuel Aballéa,3 Zalmai Hakimi,4 Jameel Nazir,4 Robert Klamroth5 1Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, and Department of Hematology, Oncology and Radiation Physics, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden; 2Creativ-Ceutical, Krakow, Poland; 3Creativ-Ceutical, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; 4Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB, Stockholm, Sweden; 5Department of Internal Medicine, Hemophilia Treatment Centre, Vivantes Klinikum im Friedrichshain, Berlin, GermanyCorrespondence: Robert Klamroth Email robert.klamroth@vivantes.dePurpose: In patients with hemophilia B, treatment with extended half-life (EHL) recombinant factor IX allows for longer dosing intervals while providing equal or superior bleeding protection compared with standard half-life products. This enables flexible, individualized treatment schedules, which reduce the burden of prophylaxis and improve patient outcomes. This analysis compared the efficacy of recombinant factor IX Fc fusion protein (rFIXFc) and recombinant factor IX albumin fusion protein (rIX-FP), two EHL therapies approved for prophylaxis and treatment of bleeding in hemophilia B.Patients and Methods: Matching-adjusted indirect treatment comparison (MAIC) was used to adjust the between-treatment differences in baseline characteristics. Individual patient data for rFIXFc (B-LONG) were matched to aggregated data for rIX-FP (PROLONG-9FP) followed by statistical comparison for estimated annualized bleeding rate (ABR) using a Poisson regression model with adjustment for over dispersion. Data were analyzed according to treatment regimen prior to study entry: prior prophylaxis (rFIXFc, n=48; rIX-FP, n=40) or prior episodic treatment (n=43 and n=19, respectively). Relative treatment effects are presented as incidence rate ratios (IRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).Results: After adjustment for baseline characteristics, estimated ABR observed for rFIXFc and rIX-FP was not significantly different in patients on prior prophylaxis (1.87 versus 1.58; IRR 1.18, 95% CI 0.67– 2.10) or prior episodic (2.25 versus 2.22; IRR 1.01 95% CI 0.40– 2.57) regimens.Conclusion: This MAIC analysis shows that the estimated ABR for rFIXFc-treated patients from B-LONG was similar to that of rIX-FP-treated patients from PROLONG-9FP and, therefore, indicates that the two EHL therapies provide similar efficacy when used as prophylaxis for patients with hemophilia B. Trough levels differ between the two products (1– 3% [targeted] versus 20% [observed], respectively), suggesting that trough level is not a surrogate indicator when ABR is used as a criterion for clinical efficacy when comparing these FIX products in hemophilia B.Keywords: annualized bleeding rate, comparative effectiveness research, factor IX deficiency, factor IX Fc fusion protein, rIX-FP fusion protein, treatment outcome

Background: A significant fraction of women with an impaired factor VIII or IX gene in the X chromosome, carriers of haemophilia, will have clotting factor activities corresponding to those seen in males with non-severe haemophilia, hence, experience an increased bleeding tendency. Data describing the long-term joint outcomes among carriers are limited. We compared the age at onset, frequency of joint-related diagnoses as well as joint surgery and related hospitalizations among carriers of haemophilia with sex- and birthdate-matched controls from the general population. Methods: Carriers of haemophilia born 1941-2008 were identified through the haemophilia treatment centres' (HTCs) databases and the National Patient Register of Sweden. For each carrier, we included up to five individuals using the Swedish population register as comparisons. Data for the period 1987-2008 were obtained. Results: Among 539 potential carriers identified, 213 had a known factor activity. Carriers with reduced factor activity and those with unknown factor activity had received their first joint-related diagnosis at a significantly earlier age than their comparisons. The same subgroups showed an overall 2.3- and 2.4-fold higher hazard for joint-related diagnoses compared with the general population. In addition, the hazards of joint-related outpatient hospitalization were 3.2-fold (95% CI: 1.2, 9.1) and 2.5-fold (95% CI: 1.6, 3.7). This was not observed for those with normal factor activity. Conclusion: Carriers of haemophilia suffer a significant risk for joint comorbidities. This risk seems to correlate to the factor activity. Our findings underline the importance of regular clinical follow-up of carriers at HTCs. (Less)

Introduction Monitoring replacement therapy with standard and extended half-life (EHL) products is challenging, since one-stage assay (OSA) and chromogenic substrate assay (CSA) results may differ significantly. Recent recommendations include local validation of each new product with recovery within 20-30%, depending on activity level. Aim To validate factor VIII (FVIII) activity for monitoring products in clinical use on Atellica Coag and to correlate it with thrombin generation. Methods Plasma samples spiked with Advate® , Elocta® , Adynovi® , Nuwiq® , NovoEight® and Afstyla® (0.05, 0.20, 0.50 and 0.80 IU/ml) were analysed using Atellica Coag 360 with CSA-1 (Coatest SP) and CSA-2 (FVIII chromogenic), and OSA (Actin FS). Thrombin generation was performed using two thrombin generation assays (TGA-1 (Thrombinoscope) and TGA-2 (Technothrombin). Results All products at levels above 0.05 IU/ml, except Adynovi, showed acceptable recovery using CSA-1, whereas measurements using CSA-2 gave more results outside the target level. All products, except Afstyla, showed acceptable recovery using OSA. Correlation between CSA-1 and OSA was excellent (r2 =1.0) with biases of 6-3​2%, depending on FVIII product. A clear dose-response was seen for all thrombin generation parameters and products using both methods, except at low levels for lag time using TGA-1. With CSA-1 as an independent variable, the correlations to thrombin peak (measured with TGA-2) were good (r2 = .8-.9). Conclusion Our data revealed good correlation and acceptable bias between CSA and OSA using our sets of reagents, methods and analyser in spiked samples. Thrombin generation gave good correlation to CSA-1 factor activity and is a possible complement to factor activity assays.

Introduction: MyPKFiT and the Web-Accessible Population Pharmacokinetic service—Hemophilia (WAPPS-Hemo) are web-based population-based applications developed for helping physicians individualize and optimize replacement therapy. Although MyPKFiT is intended for Octocog alfa and Rurioctocog alfa pegol use only, the WAPPS-Hemo is applicable to all factor VIII concentrates. Aim: To compare MyPKFiT and WAPPS-Hemo as dosing tools for optimizing treatment of patients with severe haemophilia A on regular prophylaxis with Octocog alfa in a real-world setting. Methods: Fourteen patients with severe haemophilia A (median age 30.8 years; range 20–71) were enrolled. The FVIII activity was measured twice after a regular dose of Octocog alfa by the chromogenic and the one-stage assays. PK analyses were performed using each tool and dosing estimations to reach trough levels of 1%, 3% or 5% after 48 h. Findings were calculated and compared. Results: The two PK algorithms yielded similar t½ independent of the type of FVIII assay used. However, there were significant differences in the time to reach 1%, 3% and 5%. The WAPPS-Hemo generated 10–12 h longer time to a trough of 1% and up to 4 h for the troughs of 3% and 5%. Accordingly, the doses estimated by WAPPS-Hemo for a daily regimen were between 28% and 100% of those proposed by MyPKFiT. Conclusions: MyPKFiT and WAPPS-Hemo provided similar half-life estimations for Octocog alfa independent of the FVIII assay used. The doses suggested by WAPPS-Hemo to reach specific troughs were overall lower, which may have implications for treatment optimization.

Aim: To assess available evidence on the use of rFVIIa in non-orthopaedic surgery including dental surgery in adult patients with congenital haemophilia with inhibitors (PWHI). Methods: A systematic literature search was performed according to a prespecified search string; prespecified criteria were used to select applicable studies including PWHI ≥18 years of age who underwent any non-orthopaedic surgery using rFVIIa. Results: Thirty-three publications met the eligibility criteria, of which 26 publications – including 46 procedures in 44 patients – were selected for the qualitative analysis. Most publications were case reports or case series (21/26). Primary authors assessed rFVIIa as effective in maintaining haemostasis during and after most major surgeries (22/32). rFVIIa dose was mainly on label, with higher doses used in 4 cases, and a lower dose in 1 case. Duration of treatment was mostly 5–10 days (range: 3 days to 1 month post-operatively). Adverse events related to rFVIIa were rare. Conclusions: Assessing non-orthopaedic surgery in this patient population is hampered by a paucity of published data; nevertheless, the current evidence indicates that rFVIIa is effective in achieving haemostasis in haemophilia patients with inhibitors undergoing elective non-orthopaedic or dental surgery. rFVIIa was generally well tolerated in these patients, with thrombotic events occurring rarely. These data, generated to help clinicians manage congenital haemophilia with inhibitors, highlight the need for more systematic reporting of rFVIIa and all other therapeutic agents in non-orthopaedic surgery and dental surgery in patients with congenital haemophilia and inhibitors. (Less)

Introduction: Inhibitors develop less frequently in haemophilia B (HB) than haemophilia A (HA). However, when present, the success of tolerization by immune tolerance induction (ITI) therapy is lower and the risk of complications higher. Aim: To evaluate the use and outcome of ITI in patients with HB and inhibitors. Methods: Subjects include singletons or siblings with a current/history of inhibitors enrolled in B-Natural—an observational study designed to increase understanding of clinical management of patients with HB. Patients were followed for 6 months and information on demographics, medical and social history, and treatment were recorded. Results: Twenty-nine patients with severe HB and inhibitors were enrolled in 24 centres. Twenty-two underwent one or more courses of ITI with or without immune suppression. Eight patients (36.4%) were successfully tolerized after the first course of ITI. One of these successes (12.5%) experienced allergic manifestations, whereas the corresponding number for the 10 treatment failures was five (50%). One of seven (14.2%) patients with large deletions and three of eight (37.5%) with nonsense mutations were tolerized at the first attempt, and all patients experiencing nephrosis either failed or were on-going. At study end, 11 (50%) were considered successfully tolerized after one or more ITI courses, three were unsuccessful, and eight were still undergoing treatment. Conclusion: Our data underscore the possibilities and difficulties of achieving tolerization in patients with HB with inhibitors. The type of mutation and complications appear to correlate with ITI outcome, but more accurate definitions of successful ITI are warranted.

Introduction Detection of early arthropathy is crucial for the management of haemophilia, but data on moderate haemophilia are limited. Therefore, we evaluated joint health and treatment modalities in Nordic patients with moderate haemophilia A (MHA) and B (MHB). Aim To explore and compare the Haemophilia Early Arthropathy Detection with Ultrasound (HEAD-US) and Haemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS) to detect early arthropathy in moderate haemophilia. Methods A cross-sectional, multicentre study covering Nordic patients with MHA and MHB. Arthropathy was evaluated by HEAD-US and HJHS 2.1. Results We assessed 693 joints in 118 patients. HEAD-US scores (medians [interquartile ranges]) were as follows: elbows 0 points (0-0), knees 0 (0-0) and ankles 0 (0-1). Respectively, by HJHS: elbows 0 (0-1), knees 0 (0-1) and ankles 0 (0-1). Cartilage (14%) and bone (13%) were most commonly affected by HEAD-US. Frequent HJHS findings were crepitus on motion in knees (39%), and loss of flexion (23%) and extension (13%) in ankles. HEAD-US correlated strongly with HJHS (elbows r = .70, knees r = .60 and ankles r = .65), but 24% had discordant scores. Joints with HJHS zero points, 5% captured HEAD-US >= 1 point. Moreover, 26% had HJHS findings without HEAD-US pathology. Notably, 31% of knees had crepitus on motion and normal HEAD-US. Conclusion Overall, the joints attained low scores implying good joint health. HEAD-US correlated strongly with HJHS. In 5%, HEAD-US detected subclinical pathology. Crepitus on motion was frequently reported despite normal HEAD-US, thus not necessarily reflecting arthropathy. HEAD-US therefore improves the joint assessment in moderate haemophilia.

Introduction: The prevalence of arthropathy in moderate haemophilia A (MHA) and B (MHB) is not well known. Aim: We evaluated joint health in Nordic patients in relation to their treatment modality. Methods: A cross-sectional, multicentre study covering MHA and MHB in Sweden, Finland and Norway. Arthropathy was evaluated by ultrasound (HEAD-US) and Haemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS). Results: We report on 145 patients: median age 28 years (IQR 13-52) and 61% MHA. Baseline factor VIII/factor IX activity (FVIII/FIX:C) was 2 IU/dL (median) (IQR 2-4): lower for MHB (2 IU/dL, IQR 1-2) than MHA (3 IU/dL, IQR 2-4) (P

Background Persons with severe haemophilia require lifelong replacement therapy, prophylaxis, to prevent bleeding. Data describing long-term outcomes of prophylactic treatment are scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate joint surgery and survival among persons with severe haemophilia with special attention to access to prophylaxis in the early years of life. Methods Eligible participants had severe haemophilia A or B and were treated at the Malmo centre from the 1960s onward. Time from birth until joint surgery was analysed for participants negative for factor inhibitor and alive in 2000. We compared survival among the entire cohort with severe haemophilia treated at the Malmo centre with the general male population of Sweden and a sample of persons with severe haemophilia from the United Kingdom (UK). Results Overall, 167 participants were included, 106 (63.5%) of whom had complete data on joint surgery. Among those born before 1970, 1970-1979 and ≥1980 approximately 37%, 21% and 0% had their first joint surgery by age 30, respectively. There were no second joint surgeries reported in cohorts born ≥1970. Persons with severe haemophilia and negative for HIV treated in Malmo have attained approximately similar survival to that of the general male population in Sweden and live slightly longer than persons with severe haemophilia from the UK. Discussion and conclusion Prophylaxis in Sweden, although costly, has markedly improved survival and joint outcomes for persons with severe haemophilia. This study highlights the importance of early start of replacement therapy to prevent or postpone serious joint damage.

Introduction Assay discrepancy in factor VIII activity between the one-stage and the chromogenic assays has been described in approximately one third of patients with non-severe haemophilia A. Whether assay discrepancy may also occur in patients with haemophilia B remains unknown. Aim This study compared the results from the one-stage and the chromogenic assays in patients with haemophilia B. Methods Plasma samples from patients with haemophilia B attending the haemophilia centre in Malmo, Sweden, were collected after a wash-out period of more than 7 days and analysed with both assays. Results Fifty samples from 36 patients were analysed. No discrepancy was found in patients with severe haemophilia B. Among the 44 plasma samples from patients with non-severe disease, 15 showed a twofold or greater difference between the results of the two methods, with the chromogenic method presenting the higher value (mean FIX:Cone-stage 0.02 vs. FIX:Cchromo 0.06 IU mL−1). Of these 15 samples, 14 were from seven individuals from five families with the same mutated amino acid at the N-terminal cleaving site of the activation peptide (FIX: c.572G>A; p.Arg191His or FIX: c.571C>T; p.Arg191Cys). These mutations were not observed in any patients with non-discrepant results. The reported bleeding frequency for these patients was low and indicative of a mild bleeding phenotype. Conclusion Our findings imply that assay discrepancy occurs for factor IX activity and that both type of assays are needed for a correct diagnosis and classification of haemophilia B. The underlying mechanism by which the mutation influences the assays remains to be determined.

Data on the prevalence of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) among persons with haemophilia (PWH) vary. Sweden has a long tradition of maintaining population-based data registries, and there is extensive follow-up of haemophilia patients due to the use of prophylaxis over decades. We evaluated the prevalence of these diseases among Swedish PWH compared to matched controls using a longitudinal study design.Data were obtained from the National Patient Registry and linked to records of persons with haemophilia enrolled in the haemophilia centres. For each subject, five gender and age matched controls were identified.We identified 193 (19.7%) diagnoses of hypertension in PWH born in 1978 or earlier over ≥30 years compared with 550 (11.2%) among controls. The median ages and interquartile ranges were 60.0 (42.8, 69.9) and 57.2 (42.6, 70.6) years. The hazard rate (HR) for hypertension, PWH vs. controls, was 2.1, 95% CI: [1.8; 2.5], p 0.001. The findings were similar in subgroup analyses of patients with non-severe and severe haemophilia with or without HIV and/or viral hepatitis. Angina pectoris was diagnosed in 69 (4.8%) of patients censored at age 75 compared with 311 (4.3%) in controls, and myocardial ischemia in 84 (5.9%) compared with 442 (6.2%). As a cause of death, the HR for myocardial ischemia, comparing PWH and controls, was 0.58, 95% CI: [0.42, 0.80], p = 0.001.Our data support an increased prevalence of hypertension among persons with haemophilia. The prevalence of CVD seems to be similar to that of controls, but with lower mortality.

61st Annual Meeting and Exposition of the American-Society-of-Hematology (ASH) -- DEC 07-10, 2019 -- Orlando, FL, WOS:000577160405077, [No Abstract Available], Amer Soc Hematol

Jimenez-Yuste, Victor/0000-0003-3937-3499, WOS: 000499646300016, PubMed: 31444162, Results from the main parts (24 weeks) of 2 concizumab phase 2 trials are presented: explorer4 in hemophilia A (HA) or B (HB) with inhibitors (HAwI/HBwI) and explorer5 in HA. the trials aimed to evaluate the efficacy of daily subcutaneous concizumab prophylaxis (evaluated as annualized bleeding rate [ABR] at last dose level), with secondary objectives being safety and immunogenicity (assessed as number of adverse events [AEs] and antidrug antibodies [ADAs]). Patients received 0.15 mg/kg concizumab, with potential dose escalation to 0.20 and 0.25 mg/kg (if >= 3 spontaneous bleeding episodes within 12 weeks of concizumab treatment). Relevant pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) parameters were assessed. Thirty-six HA, 9 HAwI, and 8 HBwI patients were exposed to concizumab. Most inhibitor patients (15 of 17; 88.2%) did not escalate the dose; all patients chose to continue to the extension phase of the trials. Clinical proof of concept for prevention of bleeding episodes was demonstrated in both trials. Estimated ABRs in HAwI and HBwI were lower vs HA: 3.0 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.7; 5.3) and 5.9 (95% CI, 4.2; 8.5) vs 7.0 (95% CI, 4.6; 10.7), respectively. PK/PD results were as expected, with no difference between hemophilia subtypes for concizumab exposure, free tissue factor pathway inhibitor, thrombin generation, prothrombin fragment 1+2, and D-dimers. Concizumab was safe and well tolerated (no severe AEs, AE-related withdrawals, or thromboembolic events). Three patients had (very low to medium titer) ADA(+) tests in each trial, with no observed clinical effect. These results support further development of concizumab as a daily prophylactic treatment in all hemophilia patients., Physicians World Europe GmbH, Mannheim, Germany; Novo Nordisk A/S, DenmarkNovo Nordisk, Medical writing support was provided by Physicians World Europe GmbH, Mannheim, Germany, and was financially supported by Novo Nordisk A/S, Denmark.

The 6th Haemophilia Global Summit was held in Prague, Czech Republic, in September 2015. The programme was designed by an independent Scientific Steering Committee of haemophilia experts and aimed to share optimal management strategies for haemophilia at all life stages, explore recent potential advances in the management of haemophilia A and B and discuss challenges in haemophilia care. In this supplement from the meeting, Dan Hart reviews the lessons that can be learnt from cost-constrained environments with regard to improving care for people with haemophilia globally. Sebastien Lobet discusses the importance of physical activity for optimising care and Roseline d'Oiron and Jan Blatný consider the role of real-world data in understanding the effect of treatment in a clinical setting over the long term and the true impact of treatment on the day-to-day life of the patient. Gili Kenet addresses the current challenges relating to the optimal management of prophylaxis, and Gerry Dolan and Cedric Hermans discuss the value of pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters in informing treatment decisions. Cedric Hermans and Valerie Libotte explore the importance of considering social and occupational development factors as an integral part of haemophilia care, and Jan Astermark reviews key strategies to predict and prevent inhibitor development.

Background: Etranacogene dezaparvovec is an investigational gene therapy for hemophilia B (HB) comprising an adeno-associated virus serotype 5 (AAV5) vector containing a codon-optimized Padua variant human factor IX (FIX) gene with a liver specific promoter. In a Phase 2b study, a single dose of etranacogene dezaparvovec provided mean FIX activity of 41.0% sustained at 1yr post-dose in 3 participants (pts). Although most gene therapy clinical studies exclude pts with pre-existing neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) to the capsid serotype, early clinical studies and nonhuman primate data suggest that generally prevalent titers of anti-AAV5 NAbs may not preclude successful transduction with etranacogene dezaparvovec. Aims: A Phase 3, Health Outcomes with Padua gene; Evaluation in Hemophilia B (HOPE-B; NCT03569891) was established to further assess efficacy and safety of etranacogene dezaparvovec in adults with HB with a wide range of pre-existing NAbs to AAV5. Here we report outcomes at 26 weeks (wks). Methods: HOPE-B is a Phase 3, open-label, single-dose, single-arm, multi-national trial in adult males with severe or moderate-severe HB (FIX≤2%). All pts received routine FIX prophylaxis prior to study. Pts were not excluded based on pre-existing NAbs to AAV5. Pts entered a prospective lead-in period of at least 6 months during which bleeding/factor use was monitored, then received a single intravenous dose of etranacogene dezaparvovec (2x1013 gc/kg). Pts will be followed for 5yrs. Primary endpoints comprised FIX activity (one stage) at 26 and 52wks after dosing and 52wk annualized bleeding rate. For pts with no clean post-treatment FIX samples (≥10d post exogenous FIX), factor activity was imputed as baseline value based on historic disease severity. Secondary endpoints include factor replacement use, adverse events (AEs), and reactive use of corticosteroids. Results: 75 pts were screened, of whom 67 entered lead-in. 54 pts were dosed (44 severe, 10 moderately severe HB) and completed 26wks of follow-up. Mean age (±SD) was 41.5 (15.8) yrs. 38/54 pts (70.4%) had bleeds (n=123) during the lead-in despite prophylaxis, and 23/54 (42.6%) had NAbs to AAV5 at baseline (max titer: 3212.3). Following treatment, FIX activity increased rapidly to a mean (SD; min,max) of 37.2% (±19.6; 1.0, 97.1) at wk26, representing a mean (SD; min,max) change from baseline of 36.0% (±19.7; 0, 96.1 p Conclusions: The first co-primary endpoint of this study was met. This is the first report of a Phase 3 study in HB and the largest gene therapy trial cohort to date. Following a single dose of etranacogene dezaparvovec, FIX activity increased, without the need for prophylactic immunosuppression, into the mild-to-normal range at 26wks in pts with severe/moderately severe HB. Importantly, this included pts with titers of pre-existing anti-AAV5 NAbs. Pts were able to discontinue prophylaxis and bleeding was abolished in the majority. The safety profile was consistent with early phase AAV5 studies and together these data support a favorable safety and efficacy profile for etranacogene dezaparvovec Disclosures Pipe: HEMA Biologics: Consultancy, Other; Catalyst Biosciences: Consultancy; CSL Behring: Consultancy; ApcinteX: Consultancy; Bayer: Consultancy, Other: Contracted Research; BioMarin: Consultancy, Other: Contracted Research; Takeda: Consultancy; uniQure: Consultancy, Other; Siemens: Other; Pfizer: Consultancy; Freeline Therapeutics: Consultancy, Other: Contracted Research; Novo Nordisk: Consultancy, Other: Contracted Research; Roche/Genentech: Consultancy, Other: Contracted Research; Sangamo Therapeutics: Consultancy; Sanofi Genzyme: Consultancy, Other; Spark Therapeutics: Consultancy. Recht:CSL Behring: Consultancy, Other: personal fees; Genentech: Consultancy, Other: personal fees, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Other: personal fees, Research Funding; BioMarin: Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Other: personal fees, Research Funding; uniQure: Consultancy, Other: personal fees, Research Funding; Novo Nordisk: Consultancy, Other: personal fees, Research Funding; Spark: Research Funding; Bayer: Research Funding; Grifols: Research Funding; Hema Biologics: Consultancy, Research Funding; LFB: Research Funding; Octapharma: Research Funding; Catalyst Biosciences: Consultancy; Kedrion: Consultancy; Sanofi: Consultancy, Research Funding. Key:Uniqure: Consultancy; Grifols: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding; Novo Nordisk: Other: Chair of Grants Committee. Leebeek:Shire/Takeda: Research Funding; uniQure: Consultancy; Shire/Takeda: Consultancy; BioMarin: Consultancy; SOBI: Other: Travel grant; Roche: Other: DSMB member for a study; CSL Behring: Research Funding. Castaman:Bayer, Roche, Sobi, Grifols, Novo Nordick, Werfen, Kedrion: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; CSL Behring, Pfizer, Sobi: Research Funding; Ablynx, Alexion, Bayer, Takeda, CSL Behring, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Roche,Sanofi, SOBI, uniQure: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Lattimore:uniQure: Other: Study Steering Committee member. Van Der Valk:Baxalta: Research Funding. Peerlinck:Bayer: Consultancy, Research Funding; CSL Behring: Consultancy, Research Funding; NovoNordisk: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding; Sobi: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding. Coppens:Roche: Research Funding; Portola/Alexion: Research Funding; Sanquin Blood Supply: Research Funding; uniQure: Research Funding; NovoNordisk: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Sobi: Consultancy; Medcon International: Consultancy; MEDtalks: Consultancy; Bayer: Consultancy, Research Funding; CSL Behring: Consultancy, Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Research Funding. O'Connell:uniQure: Consultancy; F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Novo Nordisk, SOBI: Speakers Bureau; SOBI: Research Funding. Pasi:Sanofi: Honoraria, Other: Personal fees and nonfinancial support; honoraria as member of scientific advisory boards and symposia, Research Funding; BioMarin: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Grants, personal fees, and nonfinancial support; honoraria as member of scientific advisory boards and symposia, Research Funding; uniQure: Other: Grants and nonfinancial support , Research Funding; ApcinteX: Consultancy, Other: Personal fees ; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Personal fees; honoraria as member of scientific advisory boards and symposia ; Biotest: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Personal fees and nonfinancial support; honoraria as member of scientific advisory boards and symposia; Catalyst Biosciences: Consultancy, Other: Personal fees and nonfinancial support; honoraria as member of scientific advisory boards and symposia; Novo Nordisk: Honoraria, Other: Personal fees and nonfinancial support; honoraria as member of scientific advisory boards and symposia ; Octapharma: Honoraria, Other: Personal fees and nonfinancial support; honoraria as member of scientific advisory boards and symposia , Speakers Bureau; Roche: Honoraria, Other; Sobi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other; Tremeau: Consultancy. Kampmann:Uniqure: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Shire Pharmaceuticals: Speakers Bureau. Meijer:Pfizer: Research Funding; Sanquin: Speakers Bureau; Bayer: Speakers Bureau; Sanquin: Research Funding; Bayer: Research Funding; Boehringer Ingelheim: Speakers Bureau; BMS: Speakers Bureau; Aspen: Speakers Bureau; Uniqure: Consultancy. von Drygalski:Biomarin: Consultancy; Bioverativ/Sanofi Genzyme: Consultancy; NovoNordisk: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; uniQure: Consultancy; Hematherix Inc.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Young:Genentech/Roche, Grifols, and Takeda: Research Funding; BioMarin, Freeline, Genentech/Roche, Grifols, Kedrion, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi Genzyme, Spark, Takeda, and UniQure: Honoraria; Bayer, CSL Behring, Freeline, UniQure: Consultancy. Hermans:WFH: Other; EAHAD: Other; LFB: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; CSL Behring: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; CAF-DCF: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Biogen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Sobi: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Shire, a Takeda company: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Bayer: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Novo Nordisk: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Octapharma: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Kedrion: Speakers Bureau. Astermark:Bayer, CSL Behring, Novo Nordisk, Octapharma, Roche, Sobi, Spark, Takeda, uniQure: Consultancy; uniQure: Research Funding. Klamroth:Bayer: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Biomarin: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; CSL Behring: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Novo Nordisk: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Octapharma: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Roche/Chugai: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Takeda/Shire: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Sobi: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Biotest: Speakers Bureau; LEO: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Lemons:uniQure: Research Funding. Visweshwar:Biogen Idec: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Escobar:Pfizer: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novo Nordisk: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Genentech, Inc.: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; National Hemophilia Foundation: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Biomarin, Genetech/Roche, CSL Behring, Kedrion, Magellan Healthcare: Honoraria. Gomez:Global Blood Therapeutics: Speakers Bureau. Kruse-Jarres:CSL Behring, Genentech, Inc., Spark: Research Funding; Biomarin, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., CSL Behring, CRISPR Therapeutics, Genentech, Inc.: Honoraria; F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Speakers Bureau; Biomarin, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., CSL Behring, CRISPR Therapeutics, Genentech, Inc.: Consultancy. Kotowski:uniQure: Research Funding. Quon:Orthopaedic Institute for Children: Current Employment; Bayer: Honoraria; Biomarin: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Bioverativ/Sanofi: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Genentech, Inc./F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novo Nordisk: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Octapharma: Honoraria; Shire/Takeda: Speakers Bureau. Wang:Bayer: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Genentech: Honoraria; Biomarin: Honoraria; CSL Behring: Honoraria; Bioverativ Inc: Honoraria; Catalyst Biologics: Consultancy; NovoNordisk: Consultancy; Hema biologics / LFB: Consultancy. Wheeler:Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; uniQure: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Biomarin: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novo Nordisk: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Sawyer:uniQure: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Verweij:uniQure: Current Employment. Colletta:uniQure: Current Employment. Bajma:uniQure: Current Employment. Gut:uniQure: Current Employment. Miesbach:Bayer: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Biomarin: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Freeline: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; LFB: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Octapharma: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novo Nordisk: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy; Sanofi: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; uniQure: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Biotest: Research Funding; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. OffLabel Disclosure: Etranacogene dezaparvovec is an investigational gene therapy

The treatment of patients with haemophilia A has remarkably improved over the years and the journey to a potential cure continues. Replacement therapy has been the cornerstone of treatment, and, despite major advances, the development of neutralizing antibodies, eg inhibitors, has thus far not been possible to avoid. How, and to what extent, the new non-factor-based options will modify treatment strategy and inhibitor risk is unclear and it is essential that every haemophilia treatment centre is linked to an educated and skilled laboratory performing the relevant inhibitor assays. The current review will focus on when to consider and how to perform inhibitor assay(s) in the management of patients with haemophilia A.

People with severe haemophilia A have reportedly impaired health related quality of life (utility) mainly due to recurrent bleeding, arthropathy and treatment burden.To estimate utilities and evaluate their potential correlates - most importantly the joint status - among people with severe haemophilia A.In this cross-sectional study, eligible participants had severe haemophilia A, were aged ≥15, negative for factor VIII inhibitor and included in the KAPPA register of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Data on demographics, treatment history, haemophilia joint health score, and EQ-5D utility were obtained from the register. We used box plots to present utilities and joint status and ordinary least squares regression to evaluate correlates of utilities. Participants were consecutively enrolled in the KAPPA register between April 2013 and June 2016.Overall, 173 participants with median age of 34 (interquartile range: 25-45) were included. Twelve (6.9%) participants were on episodic treatment while 161 (93.1%) were treated using prophylaxis. Concomitant diseases and positive inhibitor history were reported for 73 (43.2%) and 21 (12.1%) participants, respectively. The highest median utility (1.0) was observed among those aged29 on prophylaxis and those aged 30-44 who had started prophylaxis by age 3. In the multi-variable regression, joint scores of 16-25 (Coef. -0.18, 95% CI: -0.30, -0.06), 26-35 (Coef. -0.21, 95% CI: -0.36, -0.06) and35 (Coef. -0.37, 95% CI: -0.52, -0.23) were associated with lower utilities.Moderate to severe joint manifestations are associated with reduced utilities among persons with severe haemophilia A.

Introduction and Objectives: Neutralizing antibodies (inhibitors) directed against the FVIII protein may increase the bleeding frequency and compromise the management of bleeding episodes in nonsevere haemophilia A patients. The median annual bleeding frequency in patients without inhibitors is described to be 0 (IQR 0-3) for mild haemophilia and 1 (IQR 0-13) for moderate haemophilia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the burden of bleeding and to describe the treatment strategies that are used for bleeding episodes in a large group of unselected inhibitor patients with nonsevere haemophilia A. Materials and Methods: We included all inhibitor patients from the INSIGHT study, an international multicentre cohort study including all 2709 nonsevere HA patients (FVIII:C 2-4 IU/dL) that received at least 1 exposure to FVIII concentrate between 1980-2011. Data of the 1st inhibitor period were analyzed. Results: We included 107 nonsevere HA inhibitor patients (median baseline FVIII:C 9 IU/dL (IQR 6-16); median age of 38 years (IQR 15-61)). A high titre inhibitor (> 5 BU/mL) was present in 57 (53%) patients. In 30 (28%) patients the FVIII:C level was decreased ≤1 IU/dL. Eighty-nine patients (83%) received treatment for bleeding episodes. Most patients had spontaneous bleeds (n = 49, 46%); a higher proportion of high titre patients had spontaneous bleeds compared to low titre patients (83% vs. 53%, relative risk (RR) 2.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-5.8). The median number of bleeding episodes per inhibitor year was 2 (IQR 1-5); this did not differ between patients with FVIII:C ≤ 1 IU/dL and those with measurable FVIII levels (p = 0.5), patients with low titre and high titre inhibitors (p = 0.5) and patients receiving eradication treatment or not (p = 0.7). In order to treat bleedings, FVIII concentrate was used in 59 patients (55%), FVIII bypassing agents in 50 (47%) and desmopressin in 18 patients (17%). Desmopressin was used more often in patients with remaining circulating FVIII:C levels compared to patients with a FVIII:C ≤ 1 IU/dL and in patients without eradication treatment compared to patients with eradication treatment (25% vs. 3%; RR 7.4, CI 1.0-53.5 and 25% vs. 0%; RR 14.0, CI 0.9 - 224.6, respectively). Conclusion: Inhibitor development in nonsevere HA patients aggravates the burden of bleeding with the majority (83%) of the patients needing treatment for bleeding episodes, at a median of 2 bleeding episodes per year.

Haemophilia is an X-linked inherited rare bleeding disorder affecting mainly men. The treatment consists of replacement therapy that has been associated with severe side effects, such as blood transmitted viral infections, but has markedly improved over the last decades. The aim of this study was to study family structure over time among Swedish persons with haemophilia (PWH), focusing on children, siblings and marital status. PWH A or B were identified from the haemophilia centres and the national Patient Registry. Each PWH was compared to five age- and gender-matched controls. The national Multi-Generation Registry was used to identify children and siblings. A total of 1365 children with a father suffering from haemophilia A or B and 1938 siblings of the PWH were identified. Having one or more children was significantly less common (P = 0.003) for PWH than for controls. Significantly lower rates of having a child were also found for the subgroups of persons suffering from severe haemophilia and those infected with HIV (P < 0.001). A higher proportion of PWH, with or without HIV and/or viral hepatitis had siblings compared to the controls (P < 0.001). However, the mean number of siblings was significantly lower for persons with severe haemophilia (P = 0.001). The number of marriages and divorces did not differ between PWH and controls. Our data indicate a negative impact of HIV and viral hepatitis on family structure for PWH despite the relatively good access to treatment in Sweden over the last few decades. This was particularly true for those with a severe form of haemophilia.

It has previously been shown that patients with haemophilia A may develop non-neutralizing anti-factor VIII (FVIII) antibodies (NNA) that escape detection by the Bethesda assay, but are detected using immune-based assays. We and others found NNAs to be directed not only towards non-functional parts of the protein, but towards all regions of the FVIII protein. We also showed a heterogeneous antibody response towards different FVIII products. However, the clinical relevance and the natural history of NNA remain unclear. Therefore, we followed a cohort of unrelated subjects with haemophilia A for 4 years with the goal of exploring the long-term development of NNA using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Ten of 78 subjects (12·8%) exhibited an immune response that was transient and heterogeneous, and none of the subjects developed an FVIII inhibitor. The result of the ELISA was examined in relation to clinical variables and no significant associations between a positive ELISA and age, F8 mutation, port-à-cath implantation and HCV infection were shown. Interestingly, patients with NNA had significantly fewer bleeding episodes (P = 0·048) compared with NNA-negative subjects. The results indicate that the immune response to FVIII products within an individual may vary over time. However, the clinical impact of NNA remains unclear.

Sweden has been a pioneer in the treatment of haemophilia, with the first concentrate available in the 1950s. Treatment has improved over the years to its current state-of-the art. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the long-term outcome of haemophilia in terms of incidence, morbidity and mortality. Patients diagnosed with haemophilia A or B registered at the national haemophilia centres and/or the Patient Registry and born before 2009 and alive in 1968 were enrolled and linked to the Cause of Death-, Migration- and Medical Birth registries. Five age- and sex-matched controls were selected for each patient. A total of 1431 patients with haemophilia A or B were compared with 7150 controls. The 3-year moving average incidence rate per 100,000 population varied between 21 and 36. The hazard ratio for all-cause mortality compared with controls was 2.2, 95% CI: [1.8; 2.7], P < 0.001 for the entire group of patients and 1.7, 95% CI: [1.3; 2.2], P < 0.001 when patients with HIV and/or viral hepatitis were excluded. The corresponding figures for the severe haemophilia subgroup were 6.6, 95% CI: [4.5; 10.0], P < 0.001 and 8.2, 95% CI [3.2; 20.8], P < 0.001 respectively. The most common causes of death were related to malignancies and the haemostatic defect. People with haemophilia were 57% less likely to die from ischaemic heart disease than controls. People with haemophilia in Sweden demonstrate higher mortality over time, independent of HIV and viral hepatitis, despite relatively advantageous access to clotting factor concentrates.

INTRODUCTION: Mild haemophilia is a congenital bleeding disorder affecting males. The burden of arthropathy in mild haemophilia has not been comprehensively described.AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the incidence, age at diagnosis and surgery for arthropathy and related hospitalizations between people with mild haemophilia and the general population in Sweden.METHODS: This was a register-based cohort study. Eligible participants were those with mild haemophilia born between 1941 and 2008 and a randomly selected, birthdate and sex-matched comparison group from the general population. Follow-up was from birth (or earliest 1984) until death, emigration or end of the study in 2008. Data on arthropathy were obtained from a national patient register. Negative binomial and competing risk regression and Kaplan-Meier estimate curves were used in the analysis.RESULTS: Overall, 315 people with haemophilia and 1529 people in the comparison group were included. Participants with haemophilia born between 1984 and 2008 had a ninefold (95% CI: 3.3-27.2) and 16-fold (95% CI: 6.7-36.5) increased incidence of arthropathy-related hospital admission and arthropathy diagnosis respectively. None in this cohort underwent surgery. Among participants with haemophilia born prior to 1984, the rates of arthropathy diagnosis and surgery of the index joints (knee, elbow, ankle) were increased twofold (95% CI: 1.0-3.2) and fivefold (95% CI: 1.7-17.8) respectively.CONCLUSION: Our data suggested a higher burden of arthropathy among individuals with mild haemophilia compared to the general population. Further research should investigate the need for targeted joint screening programmes among individuals with mild haemophilia. (Less)

Introduction: The development of neutralizing antibodies (inhibitors) against coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) is currently the most serious complication for patients with haemophilia A undergoing FVIII replacement therapy. Several genetic factors have been acknowledged as risk factors for inhibitor development. Aim: To analyze the influence of genetic factors on the nature of the humoral immune response to FVIII in eight brother pairs with inhibitors. Methods: The domain specificity of FVIII-specific IgG was analysed by antibody binding to FVIII fragments and homologue-scanning mutagenesis (HSM). The FVIII-specific IgG subclasses were measured by direct ELISA. Results: Of the 16 patient analysed with both methods, 12 had A2- and 13 had C2-specific IgG. The presence of A1-, A3- or C1-specific IgG was identified in nine of 14 patients analysed by HSM. IgG1, IgG2 and IgG4 subclasses contributed to the anti-FVIII IgG response, and the amount of FVIII-specific IgG1 (r = 0.66) and IgG4 (r = 0.69) correlated significantly with inhibitor titres. Patients with high concentrations of total anti-FVIII IgG (r = 0.69) or high inhibitor titres (r = 0.52) had a high proportion of FVIII-specific IgG4. Statistical analysis revealed trends/evidence that the subclass distribution (P = 0.0847) and domain specificity to HC/LC (P = 0.0883) and A2/C2 (P = 0.0011) of anti-FVIII IgG were more similar in brothers compared to unrelated subjects. Conclusion: Overall, our data provide a first hint that anti-FVIII IgG characteristics are comparable among haemophilic brothers with inhibitors. Whether genetic factors also influence the nature of patients' antibodies needs to be confirmed in a larger study population. (Less)

SummaryHaemophilia A is a congenital bleeding disorder characterised by recurrent haemorrhages into the major joints. Haemophilic arthropathy is a well-established outcome of recurrent joint bleeding; however, it is clear that multiple factors determine the extent and severity of its occurrence. We sought to identify genetic factors related to abnormalities in range of motion (ROM) in the knees, ankles and elbows in a cohort of children and adolescents with haemophilia A not treated primarily with regular prophylaxis. Using data from the Haemophilia Growth and Development Study, we examined associations between 13,342 genetic markers and ROM scores measured at six-month intervals for up to seven years. As a first step, ordered logistic regression models were fit for each joint separately. A subset of SNP markers showing significant effects (p

The aim of the study was to investigate, over time, the incidence of and mortality due to malignant diseases among persons with haemophilia, compared to matched controls. Persons with haemophilia A or B were enrolled via registries at each haemophilia centre, as well as from the National Patient Registry, and were compared to five sex and age-matched controls per patient. Data from the national Cancer Registry were linked to the study participants. A total of 1431 persons with haemophilia and 7150 matched controls were enrolled. Between the years 1972 and 2008, 164 malignancies were reported. The most common type of cancer among patients was prostate cancer, followed by haematologic malignancies, including lymphoma and leukaemia, which were significantly more frequent in patients [n = 35 (2.4%) vs. n = 60 (0.8%); P < 0.001]. Malignancies in bladder and other urinary organs were also significantly different [n = 21 (1.5%) vs. n = 46 (0.6%); P < 0.01]. The overall incidence rate ratio of malignancies per 1000 person-years compared to the controls was 1.3 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1, 1.6]. In subgroup analysis, the corresponding incidence rate ratios per 1000 person-years for persons with severe haemophilia was 1.7 (95% CI 0.9, 3.1) and that for mild/moderate haemophilia 1.1 (95% CI 0.8, 1.5). Swedish persons with haemophilia had a significantly higher incidence of malignant diseases than controls. These were primarily haematologic malignancies and cancer in urinary organs, and the difference independent of any co-infections with HIV and/or viral hepatitis. The findings indicate the importance of further studies and close follow-up of malignancies in persons with haemophilia.

Summary: Studies of determinants of the development of inhibitory antibodies in patients with haemophilia indicate that this is a complex process involving several factors. The foundation is characterized by the T- and B-cell repertoire and the antigen presenting cells and to elicit an immune response to the deficient factor, a pre-disposing foundation is needed. Hence, in the absence of a certain set of circumstances, there will be no risk for development of inhibitors. Conversely, in patients fundamentally at risk, genetic and non-genetic factors might add to the risk. These factors may be additive or interactive, and ultimately promote or counteract the immune reaction by modifying immune regulators and the cytokine profile in an individual. In some subjects, only minor inflammatory signals might be needed, whereas in others a more pronounced pro-inflammatory state will be required. Regarding genetic markers other than the type of mutation and the HLA class II molecules, polymorphisms in various immune regulatory genes have been associated with inhibitor risk. These associations have not, however, been consistent across all patient groups. The reason for this is not clear, but could be related to study design or statistical power, family relationships among those studied, the complexity of interacting molecules and ethnic genomic variation. The Hemophilia Inhibitor Genetics Study (HIGS) has identified additional candidates within the intracellular pathways, all of which require additional evaluation to be fully appreciated. In the case of non-genetic factors, the overall view is that immune system challenges might add to the risk. HIGS data suggest that it will be possible to calculate a genetic score to identify patients at high risk for inhibitor development before the start of treatment. By doing so, it may hopefully be possible in the future to prevent the formation of inhibitors in these patients by offering therapeutic options other than the native factor VIII or IX molecule in an inflammatory setting. (Less)

Regular replacement therapy (prophylaxis) for haemophilia has been shown to prevent development of disabling arthropathy and to provide a better quality of life compared to treatment on demand; however, at a substantially higher cost. Calculations based on pharmacokinetic principles have shown that shortening dose intervals may reduce cost. The aim of this prospective, randomized, crossover pilot study was to address whether daily dosing is feasible, if it reduces concentrate consumption and is as effective in preventing bleeding as the standard prophylactic dosing regimen. In a 12 + 12 month crossover study, 13 patients were randomized to start either their own previously prescribed standard dose, or daily dosing adjusted to maintain at least the same trough levels as obtained with the standard dose. Ten patients completed the study. A 30% reduction in cost of factor concentrates was achieved with daily prophylaxis. However, the number of bleeding events increased in some patients in the daily dosing arm and patients reported decreased quality of life during daily prophylaxis. Daily treatment had a greater impact on daily life, and the patients found it more stressful.Prophylaxis with daily dosing may be feasible and efficacious in some patients. A substantial reduction of factor consumption and costs can be realized, but larger studies are needed before the introduction of daily prophylaxis into clinical routine can be recommended.

The Malignancy in Haemophilia Workshop Group convened a consensus working group of haematologists and oncologists to review topics related to malignancy in haemophilia. The treatment of malignant disease in this population is increasingly relevant as both outcome and lifespan continue to improve. Although adequate guidance exists for control of spontaneous bleeding episodes and of haemostasis in general surgery, information for management of haemostasis in patients with various malignancies is sparse. To date, no clinical guidelines exist for management of complex bleeding problems, diagnosis, therapy and follow-up of malignancies in haemophilia. Furthermore, it remains unclear whether or not morbidity and mortality outcomes associated with malignancies are affected by haemophilia or by its treatment. Through presentation of five malignancies - prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, acute leukaemia, bladder cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma - important issues are highlighted, such as risk from bleeding as a symptom of malignancy; risks from invasive screenings and how these should be handled in haemophilic individuals; the implications of chemotherapy and treatment schedules, bone marrow suppression, radiotherapy, or surgery; and the likelihood of an interaction between treatment for haemophilia and malignancy outcomes. Ultimately, the aim is to establish consensus guidelines to direct and harmonize future treatment policy for malignant disease in the haemophilic population.

In an ongoing health-technology assessment of haemophilia treatment in Sweden, performed by the governmental agency Dental and Pharmaceutical Benefits Agency (TLV; tandvards-och lakemedelsformansve ...

Over the last few decades, clinical follow-up of patients with haemophilia has become more complex as a result of the introduction of new treatment strategies, the presence of comorbidities related to haemophilia or ageing, as well as the emergence of new tools to evaluate the medical and social consequences of haemophilia. This publication describes the parameters and information that should be documented and the tests, examinations and interventions required for optimal follow-up of a patient with haemophilia. In the absence of formal studies, the present recommendations have been established as result of a series of consensus meetings in the frame of the European Haemophilia Therapy Standardization Board (EHTSB). The following 11 domains were identified: Baseline information, Current status, Treatment, Inhibitor status, Bleeding, Joint status and pain, Comorbidities, Dental care, Physical activities, Social participation and Quality of life. For each domain, details are proposed for the relevant parameters to be captured and monitored as well as the relevant tools that facilitate data collection. Adopting these recommendations should help the individual care of patients and, even though this is not the primary objective of this article, it should also help at national and international level to shape a new approach to haemophilia by working towards a more standardized outcome assessment. Greater standardization should have implications for data collection, improvements in treatment evaluation and optimizing resources.

Objective: Anaemia in low-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) is associated with reduced quality of life (QoL). Response to treatment with erythropoietin +/- granulocyte colony-stimulating factor ...

BACKGROUND: Patients with chromosome 5 abnormalities and high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes or acute myeloid leukemia have a poor outcome. We hypothesized that increasing doses of lenalidomide may benefit this group of patients by inhibiting the tumor clone, as assessed by fluorescence in situ hybridization for del(5q31).DESIGN AND METHODS: Twenty-eight patients at diagnosis or with relapsed disease and not eligible for standard therapy (16 with acute myeloid leukemia, 12 with intermediate-risk 2 or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome) were enrolled in this prospective phase II multicenter trial and treated with lenalidomide up to 30 mg daily for 16 weeks. Three patients had isolated del(5q), six had del(5q) plus one additional aberration, 14 had del(5q) and a complex karyotype, four had monosomy 5, and one had del(5q) identified by fluorescence in situ hybridization only.RESULTS: Major and minor cytogenetic responses, assessed by fluorescence in situ hybridization, were achieved in 5/26 (19%) and 2/26 (8%) patients, respectively, who received one or more dose of lenalidomide, while two patients achieved only a bone marrow response. Nine of all 26 patients (35%) and nine of the ten who completed the 16 weeks of trial responded to treatment. Using the International Working Group criteria for acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome the overall response rate in treated patients with acute myeloid leukemia was 20% (3/15), while that for patients with myelodysplastic syndrome was 36% (4/11). Seven patients stopped therapy due to progressive disease and nine because of complications, most of which were disease-related. Response rates were similar in patients with isolated del(5q) and in those with additional aberrations. Interestingly, patients with TP53 mutations responded less well than those without mutations (2/13 versus 5/9, respectively; P=0.047). No responses were observed among 11 cases with deleterious TP53 mutations.CONCLUSIONS: Our data support a role for higher doses of lenalidomide in poor prognosis patients with myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia with deletion 5q. (Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT00761449).

Replacement therapy with factor VIII (FVIII) concentrates has become the mainstay of treatment for hemophilia, but about 30% of patients with a severe disease develop neutralizing antibodies against FVIII, which can lead to treatment resistance and an increased risk of bleeding. Immune tolerance induction (ITI) overcomes the immune response to FVIII concentrates in the majority of patients. Several factors may influence the efficacy of ITI, including disease-related factors (e.g. peak inhibitor titer and pre-ITI titer), and genetic factors (e.g. type of mutation). Treatment-related factors, such as the type of FVIII concentrate used in ITI will also potentially influence the outcome. Specifically, higher success rates with von Willebrand factor (VWF)-containing factor VIII concentrates than with high-purity FVIII concentrates have been reported, but further studies are needed. Potential mechanisms involved include steric hindrance, inhibition of FVIII degradation, or immunomodulatory effects. However, the exact mechanism by which immune tolerance is induced remains unclear. High-dose FVIII ITI appears to induce immune tolerance more rapidly than low-dose protocols and with a reduced risk of bleeding episodes. The addition of immunosuppressive therapy, such as rituximab, to ITI may improve outcomes, although the optimal approach to combined ITI/immunosuppression has not been established. Ongoing studies are likely to provide further insight into the role of genetic features and the type of FVIII concentrate on the success rate of ITI.

Severe haemophilia and reduced bone density can negatively influence perception of patient's health-related quality of life (HRQoL), especially considering future aspects, the risk of losing independence or pain suffering. The aim of this study was to assess levels of HRQoL in severe haemophilia patients and to compare HRQoL to those of the general population as well as to determine whether reduced bone density is correlated to the perceived HRQoL. Patients were divided into two groups based on timing of being treated with prophylaxis: Group A (started prophylaxis at age of ≤ 3 years; n = 22); Group B (at age of >3 years; n = 15). The bone mineral density (BMD g cm(-2)) of different measured sites was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). HRQoL was assessed using SF-36 questionnaire. Group A have mean BMD T-score >-1.0 (i.e. normal score) at all measured sites, and have almost similar scores in the SF-36 domains compared with the reference population. Group B have mean BMD T-score -1.0 at lumbar spine and total body, and their scores in the SF-36 domains were lower compared with the reference population. Moreover, significant correlations were found between BMD at femoral neck and total body with physical domains. With adequate long-term prophylaxis since early childhood, adult patients with haemophilia report a comparable BMD and HRQoL to the Swedish reference population. Reduced BMD in group B correlated with impaired physical health, which underscores the importance of early onset of adequate prophylactic treatment.

SUMMARY: The development of inhibitors to the infused factor in patients with haemophilia is a serious clinical problem. Recent evidence suggests that alongside the strong genetic contribution to inhibitor formation, there are a number of non-genetic factors--perceived by the immune system as danger signals--which promote formation of inhibitors. This study provides a comprehensive review of clinical studies relating to these factors and also presents a survey of opinion concerning their importance and clinical influence, conducted among the members of the European Haemophilia Treatment Standardisation Board (EHTSB). Taken together, this information highlights the lack of robust data concerning the influence of several non-genetic risk factors on inhibitor development, and an urgent need for prospective, well-conducted studies that adhere to recommendations made by the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) for studying inhibitors. Based on current literature, the EHTSB formulated consensus recommendations. It is desirable to minimize intensive treatment wherever possible, given the clinical situation. Prophylaxis should be offered to all children, although we still need to determine optimal dosing with respect to inhibitor development, and age for starting treatment. Vaccinations should be given subcutaneously and concomitant factor concentrate infusions avoided. According to the board, there is no evidence in the literature supporting suggestions that the type of concentrate influences inhibitor risk; but all patients should be monitored during their first exposures. Furthermore, there is no evidence to support an association between pregnancy-related issues, breast feeding and treatment-related factors (e.g. route of administration, or use of blood components) and inhibitor development.

Anamestic inhibitors represent the major complication of haemophilia therapy now that clotting factor concentrates are virtually free of pathogen-transmission risk. Conventional clotting factor replacement is usually insufficient to prevent or treat bleeding in a haemophilia patient with a high responding inhibitor so that alternative treatment with bypassing agents is required. Despite their relative efficacy, their use does not achieve the same invariable haemostasis that patients without inhibitors do following treatment with factor concentrate replacement. This has led to the attempt to eradicate such inhibitors with immune tolerance induction. Success is not invariable, however, and many patients with long-term persistent high-titre inhibitors continue to experience great morbidity. Recently, this has given rise on a limited basis to attempts to use bypassing agents in prophylaxis regimens in an effort to alleviate this extreme morbidity. Each of these strategies is discussed in the context of their relative benefits and risks. (Less)

This prospective Phase II study is the first to assess the feasibility and efficacy of maintenance 5-azacytidine for older patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia and MDS-acute myeloid leukaemia syndromes in complete remission (CR) after induction chemotherapy. Sixty patients were enrolled and treated by standard induction chemotherapy. Patients that reached CR started maintenance therapy with subcutaneous azacytidine, 5/28 d until relapse. Promoter-methylation status of CDKN2B (P15 ink4b), CDH1 and HIC1 was examined pre-induction, in CR and 6, 12 and 24 months post CR. Twenty-four (40%) patients achieved CR after induction chemotherapy and 23 started maintenance treatment with azacytidine. Median CR duration was 13.5 months, >24 months in 17% of the patients, and 18-30.5 months in the four patients with trisomy 8. CR duration was not associated with CDKN2B methylation status or karyotype. Median overall survival was 20 months. Hypermethylation of CDH1 was significantly associated with low CR rate, early relapse, and short overall survival (P = 0.003). 5-azacytidine treatment, at a dose of 60 mg/m(2) was well tolerated. Grade III-IV thrombocytopenia and neutropenia occurred after 9.5 and 30% of the cycles, respectively, while haemoglobin levels increased during treatment. 5-azacytidine treatment is safe, feasible and may be of benefit in a subset of patients.

Summary. The reasons that inhibitory factor VIII antibodies develop in only a fraction of patients with haemophilia A remain unclear, but studies of genetically related subjects have indicated that the immunological outcome of replacement therapy is to a large extent determined by patient-related risk factors. Non-genetic factors will also influence the inhibitor risk, since events challenging the immune system will elicit and stimulate immune regulatory processes with the potential of modifying the immune response. Further insight into the immunological pathways and risk factors involved will be important in order to better predict and prevent this complication. This review will briefly summarize the data obtained to date in unrelated and related subjects in the Malmo International Brother Study (MIBS) regarding genetic factors and discuss how these factors might interact with non-genetically determined factors and events.

Severity assessment of patients with haemophilia A (HA) is traditionally based on FVIII activity (FVIII:C). Clinical phenotype of HA patients often differs between individuals with the same FVIII:C determined with clotting and chromogenic assays. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of the FVIII:C on thrombin generation (TG) assay parameters both in vitro and ex-vivo postinfusion plasma. For in-vitro approach, influence of FVIII:C was evaluated on TG parameters in several dilutions of a normal plasma pool with commercial FVIII-depleted-plasma (FVIIIDP) and in others experiments, adding increasing amounts of different commercial FVIII concentrates (Fanhdi, Haemate-P, Hemofil-M and Kogenate Bayer) to FVIIIDP. In a series of 50 postinfusion samples, from HA patients of different severity, we assayed TG and FVIII:C (chromogenic and clotting). In vitro experiments, the 50% of maximum TG peak (TGMP) was achieved using only 5% FVIII:C and the TGMP was obtained with 40% of normal VIII:C. Impaired response compared with normal plasma was found in FVIIIDP using addition of increasing amounts of different commercial FVIII concentrates. An overall good correlation between the two FVIII assays was observed (y = 0.9115x - 0.273, r = 0.975, P < 0.001); TGMP and the Lag-Phase-Time (LPT) provided some discrepant results when compared with the total range of FVIII:C measurements. In contrast, correlations for TGMP, LPT and endogenous thrombin potential were improved in samples restricted to FVIII:C < 5%. We conclude that TG parameters tentatively could be a tool to tailor the global haemostatic capacity in haemophilic patients. (Less)

Udgivelsesdato: 2008-Mar As the management of haemophilia is complex, it is essential that those with the disorder should have ready access to a range of services provided by a multidisciplinary team of specialists. This document sets out the principles of comprehensive haemophilia care in Europe. Within each country there should be a national organization which oversees the provision of specialist Comprehensive Care Centres that provide the entire spectrum of clinical and laboratory services. Depending upon the size and geographical distribution of the population, a network of smaller haemophilia centres may also be necessary. There should be arrangements for the supply of safe clotting factor concentrates which can also be used in home treatment and prophylaxis programmes. A national register of patients is recommended along with collection of treatment statistics. As comprehensive haemophilia care is multidisciplinary by nature, the need for education and research programmes for all staff members is emphasized: Members of the Interdisciplinary Working Group not represented in the list of authors are mentioned in Section 4 of this document.

SummaryThe development of inhibitory antibodies to factor VIII is a serious complication of haemophilia. Two haemostatic agents with different bypassing mechanisms have been used in the treatment of patients with inhibitors: activated prothrombin complex concentrate (aPCC) and recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa). The objective was to compare cost and outcome of aPCC and rFVIIa in the treatment of joint bleeds. The analyses were based on the FENOC (FEIBA NovoSeven Comparative Study) crossover study where 48 patients used aPCC and rFVIIa to treat two joint bleeds. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were calculated for three outcome measures and the variation in cost was analyzed using two alternative regression methods. Results were subjected to sensitivity analyses. Key determinants of cost were prescribed dose, bodyweight and treatment in addition to protocol.The cost of aPCC was on average lower than rFVIIa. At all but one time point, patients rated slightly higher (but not statistically significantly) percentages of treatment efficacy and stopping of the bleed by aPCC. The reported reduction in pain from start of treatment up to 48 hours varied considerably among individuals. The different relative prices in the US, Turkey and Sweden mattered, but did not reverse the main results. In conclusion, the cost per episode was significantly lower for aPCC. The large individual-level variation in reduction of pain supports decisions that consider the individual patient’s experience and that accept trade-offs between cost and reduction in pain rather than focusing on cost only.