Triggers and short-term prophylaxis in patients with hereditary angioedema

Background: Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare disease that affects 1 in 60,000; however, despite being extremely rare, the severity of the disease can cause significant limitations to quality of life. In addition, attacks can be fatal and require urgent care. Methods: We searched PubMed and Google for Hereditary Angioedema and prophylaxis, short term prophylaxis, surgery, medical procedures, dental work, triggers. Results: The main triggers are estrogens, Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACI) inhibitors, trauma, dental work, stress, surgery, manipulation of the upper airway, and medical procedures. Prophylaxis is often used long term to prevent attacks; before known triggers, prophylaxis is referred to as short-term prophylaxis (STP). When to initiate STP, what to use, and what dose to use have not been adequately researched, but there is consensus that, whenever the upper airway is manipulated, STP is essential. In addition, consensus has been reached that an IV C1 inhibitor is the preferred STP agent, and it is my opinion that dosing at 20 units/kg allows dosing for all ages and also allows average-size adults to receive >1000 units because failures at 1000 units have been documented in the literature. Conclusions: This article focused on triggers and preprocedural STP and not on pre-event STP, which is often used before important life events; however, medications and dosing are the same for pre-event prophylaxis.

Hereditary angioedema: Comprehensive management plans and patient support

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare disease. Regardless, patients with HAE have access to multiple state-of-the-art medications available for on-demand use and prevention that reduce the frequency and burden of HAE attacks. These treatments have greatly reduced the burden of disease and helped patients achieve improved quality of life. However, with greater numbers of therapeutic options, HAE care has become more complex. In this review, we addressed essential elements of an individualized comprehensive management plan for a patient with HAE. We focused on access to an expert physician, ongoing patient education, access to effective treatment options, coordination of care and management of treatment logistics, ongoing monitoring of attacks and treatments, and other resources for patient support. This plan will need to be communicated with the patient and other care providers, especially during emergent conditions, and accommodate the patient's lifestyle with consideration for work, school, travel, etc. Periodically, the physician and the patient will need to review information about attacks, triggers, and treatments to identify areas for improvement and update the plan.

Current medical management of hereditary angioedema: Follow-up survey of US physicians

BACKGROUND

Physician surveys on hereditary angioedema (HAE) management in 2010 and 2013 revealed important trends in HAE care.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate current HAE management and the impact of new treatment options on physician practice patterns over time.

METHODS

During June and July 2019, 5382 physicians were contacted by means of postal mail to complete a 47-question survey; 177 responded (3%).

RESULTS

Across the 3 surveys, the home replaced the emergency department as the most typically reported setting for HAE attack treatment (54.3% vs 11.6% in 2010 and 32.5% in 2013; P < .001). Physicians reported C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH) as the most typically prescribed long-term prophylactic treatment (LTP) (60.0% vs 20.4% in 2010 and 56.7% in 2013; P < .001). Subcutaneous LTP medications were most typically prescribed over intravenous (C1-INH, 41.4%; subcutaneous lanadelumab, 21%; intravenous C1-INH, 18.6%). Danazol, the most frequently prescribed LTP treatment, dropped to 6.4% (55.8% in 2010 and 23.4% in 2013; P < .001). The strongest nonefficacy factor influencing clinician treatment choice changed over time, with cost and (or) insurance coverage increasing to 43.7% (from 24.4% in 2010 and 40.5% in 2013; P = .001), whereas the concern over adverse effects dropped to 16.2% (from 55.8% in 2010 and 29.5% in 2013; P < .001). Physician-reported patient satisfaction remains high, with only 1.5% of physicians indicating patients are not satisfied with treatment.

CONCLUSION

The US physician survey data reflect improvements in the HAE management in recent years. Therapeutic advances in HAE have led to reported higher rates of home treatment of HAE attacks, reduced concern for adverse treatment effects, and high levels of patient satisfaction.

A novel deep intronic SERPING1 variant as a cause of hereditary angioedema due to C1-inhibitor deficiency

BACKGROUND

In about 5% of patients with hereditary angioedema due to C1-inhibitor deficiency (C1-INH-HAE) no mutation in the SERPING1 gene is detected.

METHODS

C1-INH-HAE cases with no mutation in the coding region of SERPING1 after conventional genotyping were examined for defects in the intronic or untranslated regions of the gene. Using a next-generation sequencing (NGS) platform targeting the entire SERPING1, 14 unrelated C1-INH-HAE patients with no detectable mutations in the coding region of the gene were sequenced. Detected variants with a global minor allele frequency lower than the frequency of C1-INH-HAE (0.002%), were submitted to in silico analysis using ten different bioinformatics tools. Pedigree analysis and examination of their pathogenic effect on the RNA level were performed for filtered in variants.

RESULTS

In two unrelated patients, the novel mutation c.-22-155G > T was detected in intron 1 of the SERPING1 gene by the use NGS and confirmed by Sanger sequencing. All bioinformatics tools predicted that the variant causes a deleterious effect on the gene and pedigree analysis showed its co-segregation with the disease. Degradation of the mutated allele was demonstrated by the loss of heterozygosity on the cDNA level. According to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics 2015 guidelines the c.-22-155G > T was curated as pathogenic.

CONCLUSIONS

For the first time, a deep intronic mutation that was detected by NGS in the SERPING1 gene, was proven pathogenic for C1-INH-HAE. Therefore, advanced DNA sequencing methods should be performed in cases of C1-INH-HAE where standard approaches fail to uncover the genetic alteration.

Hereditary Angioedema: An Updated Experience with Patients with Angioedema in Puerto Rico

OBJECTIVE

This was a study of patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE) and their responses to new therapies, measured in terms of HAE attack rates, the number of hospitalizations and emergency room (ER) visits, and the impact of HAE on their quality of life (QOL).

METHODS

Patients that came at a private practice with recurrent angioedema without urticaria from 2013 through 2016. All HAE (types I & II) patients received rescue treatment and prophylaxis for those who had 2 or more attacks per month.

RESULTS

Of 48 patients, 22 (45.8%) patients with HAE (I or II) were identified. 45.5% of those HAE patients were on prophylaxis and 77.3% were on rescue therapy. Treatment effects were reported as percentages of the HAE patients in each attack/month category: Before treatment, 41.2% of the patients had 0 to 1 attack; after treatment, 84.2%. Similarly, 23.5% had 2 to 3 attacks before treatment, fell to 17.6%, after treatment. Finally, 35.3% experienced more than 3 attacks prior to treatment; and none after treatment. The number of ER visits in 6 months decreased from 64 (3.8 per patient) to 7 (0.4 per patient), and hospitalizations in 6 months decreased from 35 (2.1 per patient) to 7 (0.4 per patient) after treatment. The diagnosis delay averaged 4.3 years; patients diagnosed on or before 2012 averaged 8.6 years; patients diagnosed after 2012 averaged 0.4 years.

CONCLUSION

HAE patients showed improved treatment responses as documented by decreased diagnostic delay, attack rates, ER visits and hospitalizations and improved QOL in treated patients.

Hereditary and acquired angioedema

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is an autosomal dominant disorder defined by a deficiency of functional C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH). Acquired angioedema is due to either consumption (type 1) or inactivation (type 2) of CI-INH. Both HAE and acquired angioedema can be life-threatening. Of the three types of HAE, type 1 is most common, occurring in approximately 85% of patients and characterized by decreased production of C1-INH, which results in reduced functional activity to 5-40% of normal. Type 2 occurs in 15% of cases; C1-INH is detectable in normal or elevated quantities but is dysfunctional. Also, HAE with normal CI-INH (previously called type 3 HAE) is rare and characterized by normal complement studies. Specific genetic mutations have been linked to factor XII, angiopoietin-1, and plasminogen gene. Patients with unknown mutations are classified as unknown. The screening test for types 1 and 2 is complement component C4, which is low to absent at times of angioedema and during quiescent periods. A useful test to differentiate HAE from acquired angioedema is C1q protein, which is normal in HAE and low in acquired angioedema. The management of HAE has been transformed with the advent of disease-specific therapies. On-demand therapy options include plasma and recombinant C1-INH for intravenous infusion; ecallantide, an inhibitor of kallikrein; and icatibant, a bradykinin β₂ receptor antagonist, both administered subcutaneously. For long-term prophylaxis, intravenous or subcutaneous C1-INH enzyme replacement and lanadelumab, a monoclonal antibody against kallikrein that is administered subcutaneously, are effective agents.

Pearls and pitfalls in the diagnosis of hereditary angioedema

Hereditary angioedema is a very disabling and even life-threatening chronic condition. A timely and proper diagnosis of the condition is critical in disease management. Unfortunately, there is the potential for misdiagnosis when using the current laboratory diagnostic tools. Physicians should understand the limitations of each diagnostic assay and judiciously establish this life-altering diagnosis.

Recurrent Acute Abdomen as the Main Manifestation of Hereditary Angioedema

A diagnosis of hereditary angioedema is usually made with recurrent episodes of swelling of the subcutaneous tissue with a family history. We herein report a case in which recurrent acute abdomen was the main manifestation of hereditary angioedema. A 45-year-old womon presented with a 10-year history of recurrent severe abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography revealed remarkable submucosal edema of the ileum. A blood examination revealed grossly reduced complement C4 and CH50 with deficiency of C1-inhibitor. Genetic testing revealed a heterozygous nonsense mutation of the SERPING1 gene, and a diagnosis of hereditary angioedema was made. Hereditary angioedema should be listed as a differential diagnosis of recurrent acute abdomen.

New and evolving therapies for hereditary angioedema

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare, autosomal dominant, genetic disorder associated with a deficiency in C1 inhibitor protein. HAE is characterized by recurrent and unpredictable episodes of swelling of the extremities, abdomen, face, and upper airway. There are several newly approved drugs as well as investigational products that are currently under study for the management of patients with HAE, with the potential to optimize care and improve quality of life for patients with HAE. We reviewed the evolution of HAE treatment options in the United States and discussed mechanisms of action, routes of administration, and efficacy of these therapies.

Treatment of Hereditary Angioedema Attacks with Icatibant and Recombinant C1 Inhibitor During Pregnancy

PURPOSE

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare disease caused by a C1 inhibitor (C1-INH) deficit. Clinically, HAE is manifested by repeated episodes of localized subcutaneous or submucosal oedema attacks. Managing HAE patients in pregnancy is challenging, since there are only limited data on the safety and efficacy of various therapeutic approaches.

METHODS

We present our clinical experience treating acute HAE attacks during pregnancy in six consecutive patients.

RESULTS

During the pregnancies, 79 HAE attacks occurred. The most frequent were abdominal 53 (67.1%) followed by peripheral 21 (26.6%), facial 10 (12.7%), and laryngeal 10 (12.7%) oedemas; 13 (16.5%) attacks were combined. Fifty (63.3%) attacks were treated with recombinant human C1-INH (rhC1-INH); 17 (21.5%) with plasma-derived, pasteurized, nanofiltered C1-INH (pnfC1-INH); 13 (16.5%) with icatibant; and 1 (1.3%) with plasma-derived, nanofiltered C1-INH (nfC1-INH). Treatment had to be repeated in 5 attacks (6.3%). All six deliveries (one caesarean section and five spontaneous vaginal deliveries) were complication free. All pregnancies went to the full term and the patients delivered healthy babies with a birth weight ranging from 2850 to 3690 g. No congenital abnormalities were detected in the neonates. No abortions occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show good C1-INH or icatibant treatment efficacy for HAE attacks in pregnancy. The treatment by the first drug used was effective in 93.7% of all attacks. In 6.3% of attacks, a second treatment had to be used. No adverse effects were observed.

The complex alteration in the network of IL-17-type cytokines in patients with hereditary angioedema

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare autosomic-dominant disorder characterized by a deficiency of C1 esterase inhibitor which causes episodic swellings of subcutaneous tissues, bowel walls and upper airways that are disabling and potentially life-threatening. We evaluated n = 17 patients with confirmed HAE diagnosis during attack and remission state and n = 19 healthy subjects. The samples were tested for a panel of IL (Interleukin)-17-type cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), IL-17, IL-21, IL-22, IL-23) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) subtypes. Data indicate that there are variations of cytokine levels in HAE subjects comparing the condition during the crisis respect to the value in the remission phase, in particular type 17 signature cytokines are increased, whereas IL-23 is unmodified and TGF-β3 is significantly reduced. When comparing healthy and HAE subjects in the remission state, we found a significant difference for IL-17, GM-CSF, IL-21, TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 cytokines. These results confirm and extend our previous findings indicating that in HAE there is operating an inflammatory activation process, which involves also T helper 17 (Th17) cytokines and TGF-β isoforms, associated with localized angioedema attacks and characterized by elevated bradykinin levels.

Severity of hereditary angioedema, prevalence, and diagnostic considerations

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare disorder, characterized by intermittent attacks of swelling in any part of the body, without the presence of hives. This lifelong disease typically presents in the first 2 decades of life, and is commonly associated with a deficiency in functional C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH) activity. C1-INH levels may be decreased or normal, with an accompanied decrease in functionality, depending on the type of HAE present. The frequency and severity of attacks are highly variable among patients with HAE, but can have a significant impact on a patient's quality of life, and may be fatal if not properly managed. Early diagnosis of the disease can lead to the development of an individualized treatment plan to assist with prevention and management of angiodema attacks. Delays in diagnosis remain, as healthcare professionals often fail to include HAE in the differential diagnosis when patients present with attacks, and patients therefore often go undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed for several years before a diagnosis of HAE is made. It is important for providers to recognize the most common clinical features of HAE and how to evaluate patients to effectively diagnose, prevent, and treat future attacks.

Icatibant Outcome Survey in Patients with Hereditary Angioedema: Experience in Israel Compared with Other Countries

BACKGROUND

Management of patients with hereditary angioedema with C1-inhibitor deficiency (C1-INH-HAE) is evolving worldwide. Evaluating the Israeli experience may provide valuable insights.

OBJECTIVES

To compare demographics and icatibant treatment patterns and outcomes in patients with C1-INH-HAE enrolled in the Icatibant Outcome Survey (IOS) in Israel with those in other countries.

METHODS

The IOS is an ongoing observational study that prospectively monitors real-world icatibant safety/tolerability and treatment outcomes.

RESULTS

By July 2016, 58 patients from Israel and 594 patients from other countries were enrolled. Median age at diagnosis (16.7 vs. 21.3 years, P = 0.036) and median delay between symptom onset and diagnosis (0.8 vs. 6.6 years, P = 0.025) were lower in Israel compared with other countries, respectively. Differences in attack severity were not significant (P = 0.156); however, during follow-up, Israeli patients were less likely to miss > 7 days of work/school due to C1-INH-HAE-related complications (P = 0.007). A trend was also shown in Israel for earlier time to treatment (median 0.5 vs. 1.3 hours, P = 0.076), attack duration was shorter (median 5.0 vs. 9.0 hours, P = 0.026), and patients more often self-administered icatibant (97.2% vs. 87.5%, P = 0.003), respectively. However, Israeli patients were less likely to treat attacks (P = 0.036). Whereas patients in Israel reported exclusive use of danazol for long-term prophylaxis, those in other countries used various agents, including C1-INH.

CONCLUSIONS

Recognition of C1-INH-HAE and timeliness of icatibant treatment appear more favorable, and attack duration shorter, in Israel compared with other countries.

Clinical Features of Hereditary and Mast Cell-mediated Angioedema Focusing on the Differential Diagnosis in Japanese Patients

Objective The present study was designed to identify the clinical characteristics that permit the differential diagnosis of hereditary angioedema (HAE) and mast cell-mediated angioedema (Mast-AE) during the first consultation. Methods The medical histories and laboratory data of 46 patients with HAE and 41 patients with Mast-AE were compared. Results The average age of onset in the HAE group (19.8±9.0 years) was significantly lower than that in the Mast-AE group (35.2±12.0 years). The incidence of familial angioedema (AE) in the HAE group (73.9%) was significantly higher than that in the Mast-AE group (9.7%). The frequency of history of AE in the extremities, larynx, or gastrointestinal tract was significantly higher in the HAE group. The frequency of AE episodes of the lips and eyelids was significantly lower in the HAE group. The serum C4 concentration and CH50 titer were lower than the normal limit in 91.3% and 45.6% of the patients in the HAE group, respectively; in Mast-AE group the serum C4 concentration and CH50 titer were significantly lower than the normal limit in 4.8% and 0% of the patients, the difference between the two groups was statistically significant. A C1-inhibitor (C1-INH) activity level of <50% was observed in all of the HAE patients, but none of the Mast-AE patients. The mean serum IgE titer in the HAE group (120.8±130.5 IU/mL) was significantly lower than that in the Mast-AE group (262.2±314.9 IU/mL). Conclusion The parameters within the patients' medical histories, such as the age at the onset of AE, a family history of AE, and the locations of past AE episodes are critical for the successful diagnosis of the disease. Measurements of the C4 and C1-INH activity are very useful for differential diagnosis of HAE from Mast-AE.

[Allergology and clinical immunology]

Hereditary angioedema (HA) is a disabling and potentially fatal condition. The management of HA includes treatment of acute attacks, short-term prophylaxis to prevent an attack, and long-term prophylaxis to minimize the frequency and severity of recurrent attacks. In this article, we will present new therapeutic alternatives for long term prophylaxis. Glucocorticoids (GC) usage leads to a number of severe side-effects. In giant cell arteritis, the use of tocilizumab in conjunction with low doses of GC reduces the number of relapses. In ANCA-associated vasculitis the use of an anti-C5R (avacopan) alone or in conjunction with low doses of GC results in similar remission rates to those induced by high dose GC.

Brazilian Guidelines for Hereditary Angioedema Management - 2017 Update Part 1: Definition, Classification and Diagnosis

Hereditary angioedema is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by recurrent angioedema attacks with the involvement of multiple organs. The disease is unknown to many health professionals and is therefore underdiagnosed. Patients who are not adequately diagnosed and treated have an estimated mortality rate ranging from 25% to 40% due to asphyxiation by laryngeal angioedema. Intestinal angioedema is another important and incapacitating presentation that may be the main or only manifestation during an attack. In this article, a group of experts from the "Associação Brasileira de Alergia e Imunologia (ASBAI)" and the "Grupo de Estudos Brasileiro em Angioedema Hereditário (GEBRAEH)" has updated the Brazilian guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of hereditary angioedema.