Vital organ tissue oxygenation after serial normovolemic exchange transfusion with HBOC-201 in anesthetized swine

New Applications of HBOC-201: A 25-Year Review of the Literature

If not cured promptly, tissue ischemia and hypoxia can cause serious consequences or even threaten the life of the patient. Hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier-201 (HBOC-201), bovine hemoglobin polymerized by glutaraldehyde and stored in a modified Ringer's lactic acid solution, has been investigated as a blood substitute for clinical use. HBOC-201 was approved in South Africa in 2001 to treat patients with low hemoglobin (Hb) levels when red blood cells (RBCs) are contraindicated, rejected, or unavailable. By promoting oxygen diffusion and convective oxygen delivery, HBOC-201 may act as a direct oxygen donor and increase oxygen transfer between RBCs and between RBCs and tissues. Therefore, HBOC-201 is gradually finding applications in treating various ischemic and hypoxic diseases including traumatic hemorrhagic shock, hemolysis, myocardial infarction, cardiopulmonary bypass, perioperative period, organ transplantation, etc. However, side effects such as vasoconstriction and elevated methemoglobin caused by HBOC-201 are major concerns in clinical applications because Hbs are not encapsulated by cell membranes. This study summarizes preclinical and clinical studies of HBOC-201 applied in various clinical scenarios, outlines the relevant mechanisms, highlights potential side effects and solutions, and discusses the application prospects. Randomized trials with large samples need to be further studied to better validate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of HBOC-201 to the extent where patient-specific treatment strategies would be developed for various clinical scenarios to improve clinical outcomes.

Relative Efficacies of HBOC-201 and Polyheme to Increase Oxygen Transport Compared to Blood and Crystalloids

BACKGROUND

Because total hemoglobin in circulation ([THb]) is an established predictor of clinical outcomes in anemic individuals, the relative efficacies of resuscitation fluids to increase [THb] can be used to design better hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (HBOC) clinical trials.

METHODS

Expected efficacies of HBOC-201 (13 g Hb/dL) and packed red blood cells (RBCs) (packed red blood cells [pRBCs], 24 g Hb/dL) to increase [THb] were calculated and interpreted in the context of severe adverse events (SAEs) in the HEM-0115 phase III clinical trial.The PolyHeme phase III clinical trial compared the HBOC, PolyHeme (10 g Hb/dL), with crystalloid control prehospital and packed RBCs in hospital. The comparative abilities of these resuscitation fluids to maintain [THb] were interpreted in the context of mortality.

RESULTS

In HEM-0115, infusion of HBOC-201 increased [THb] by 0.18 ± 0.03 g/dL (N=121) compared with 0.87 ± 0.07 g/dL (n = 115) following one unit of pRBCs. These observed increases in [THb] were similar to expected increases for these fluids. Use of HBOC-201 was associated with 0.34 SAEs per patient compared with 0.25 SAEs per patient in the pRBC arm (P = 0.016).Hemoglobin Deficit was greater in HBOC-201-treated patients than in pRBC controls and emerged as a predictor of SAEs in a logistics model. Randomization to HBOC-201 had no power to predict SAEs.PolyHeme more effectively maintained [THb] than did crystalloid prior to arrival at hospital, associated with initially higher survival in the PolyHeme arm. Thereafter, PolyHeme subjects sustained lower [THb] and higher mortality than controls.

CONCLUSION

Greater anemia in subjects randomized to HBOC-201 was consistent with the relative efficacies of HBOC-201 and pRBCs to increase [THb] and may have contributed to more SAEs in the HBOC arm of HEM-0115 and greater long-term mortality in the PolyHeme trial.

A case study of 10 patients administered HBOC-201 in high doses over a prolonged period: outcomes during severe anemia when transfusion is not an option

BACKGROUND

Hemoglobin-Based Oxygen Carriers (HBOCs) can act as an "oxygen bridge" in acute severe anemia when transfusion is indicated, but not possible. We present data on 10 Expanded Access (EA) patients treated with high cumulative doses of Hemopure (HBOC-201), to assess the ability of HBOC-201 to safely treat life threatening anemia in situations where high volumes of product were administered over an extended period of time.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Inclusion in this study required that the patient receive at least 10 units of HBOC-201 between 2014 and 2017 under the FDA-sanctioned EA program. Depending on a patient's geographical location, treatment with HBOC-201 was obtained through either a single patient emergency Investigational New Drug (IND) application, or an intermediate size population IND. Of the 41 patients who were treated during this period, 10 patients received 10 or more units of the product. Data were obtained from medical records.

RESULTS

Treatments with HBOC-201 started within 24 hours of signing consent and were administered at an average rate of 1.99 (SD 0.17) units per day over a mean of 8.2 days (SD 2.9), during which patients received on average 16.2 units (SD 5.7 units) of HBOC-201. The median pre-treatment nadir corpuscular hemoglobin (Hb) concentration was 3.3 (SD 0.9) g/dL and post-treatment Hemoglobin was 7.3 (SD 1.7) g/dL. Common side effects included methemoglobinemia, gastrointestinal symptoms, and hypertension. However, no product-related serious adverse events (SAEs) were noted. All patients survived.

CONCLUSIONS

Administration of HBOC-201 over an extended period is a feasible and safe oxygen bridge for severely anemic patients who cannot be transfused with RBC.

Haemoglobin-based oxygen carriers and myocardial infarction

The incidence of investigator diagnosed myocardial infarction (MI) is greater in patients treated with haemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) than controls. Clinical trials and literature pertaining to possible HBOC toxicity mechanisms have been analyzed in order to identify possible reasons for this imbalance. MI diagnosis is hampered by potential interference of troponin assays by haemoglobin, haemolysis and bilirubin. Nevertheless, insofar as the reported incidence correlates with actual occurrence, there is a positive relationship between MI and HBOC dose and size. Preclinical and clinical data suggest that direct cardiac toxicity and coronary vasoconstriction are unlikely. More probable are detrimental intravascular interactions between HBOCs and components of the coagulation cascade, particularly dysfunctional endothelium. Elucidation of mechanisms is impeded by a lack of clinical data. Measurement of relevant biomarkers would be extremely useful in this regard and in improving patient selection criteria. Conduct of clinical trials in carefully selected patient populations after the development of improved protocols for MI diagnosis, along with concomitant biomarker data collection, is recommended.

Normalization of hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier-201 induced vasoconstriction: targeting nitric oxide and endothelin

Hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (HBOC)-201 is a cell-free modified hemoglobin solution potentially facilitating oxygen uptake and delivery in cardiovascular disorders and hemorrhagic shock. Clinical use has been hampered by vasoconstriction in the systemic and pulmonary beds. Therefore, we aimed to 1) determine the possibility of counteracting HBOC-201-induced pressor effects with either adenosine (ADO) or nitroglycerin (NTG); 2) assess the potential roles of nitric oxide (NO) scavenging, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and endothelin (ET) in mediating the observed vasoconstriction; and 3) compare these effects in resting and exercising swine. Chronically instrumented swine were studied at rest and during exercise after administration of HBOC-201 alone or in combination with ADO. The role of NO was assessed by supplementation with NTG or administration of the eNOS inhibitor N^ω-nitro-l-arginine. Alternative vasoactive pathways were investigated via intravenous administration of the ET_A/ET_B receptor blocker tezosentan or a mixture of ROS scavengers. The systemic and to a lesser extent the pulmonary pressor effects of HBOC-201 could be counteracted by ADO; however, dosage titration was very important to avoid systemic hypotension. Similarly, supplementation of NO with NTG negated the pressor effects but also required titration of the dose. The pressor response to HBOC-201 was reduced after eNOS inhibition and abolished by simultaneous ET_A/ET_B receptor blockade, while ROS scavenging had no effect. In conclusion, the pressor response to HBOC-201 is mediated by vasoconstriction due to NO scavenging and production of ET. Further research should explore the effect of longer-acting ET receptor blockers to counteract the side effect of hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (HBOC)-201 can disrupt hemodynamic homeostasis, mimicking some aspects of endothelial dysfunction, resulting in elevated systemic and pulmonary blood pressures. HBOC-201-induced vasoconstriction is mediated by scavenging nitric oxide (NO) and by upregulating endothelin (ET) production. Pressor effects can be prevented by adjuvant treatment with NO donors or direct vasodilators, such as nitroglycerin or adenosine, but dosages must be carefully monitored to avoid hypotension. However, hemodynamic normalization is more easily achieved via administration of an ET receptor blocker.

A safety and efficacy evaluation of hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier HBOC-201 in a randomized, multicenter red blood cell controlled trial in noncardiac surgery patients

BACKGROUND

We present the results of a previously unpublished hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (HBOC) study conducted in 1998-1999.

METHODS

In a multicenter, randomized, single-blind, comparative study of HBOC-201 versus allogeneic red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, no-cardiac surgery patients received HBOC-201 to a maximum of 7 units (n = 83) or RBCs (n = 77). Patients could be switched to RBCs for safety or any other reason. The efficacy end points were elimination and/or reduction of allogeneic RBC transfusions for 28 days.

RESULTS

The proportion of patients in the HBOC-201 group that avoided RBC transfusion was 0.427 (95% confidence interval, 0.321-0.533). Subjects in the HBOC-201 group received on average 3.2 units of RBCs versus 4.4 units in the control arm (P = 0.004). Seventy-nine (95.2%) subjects in the HBOC-201 group and 72 (93.5%) in the RBC group experienced adverse events (AEs), judged to be associated with study treatment in 59 (71.1%) and 18 (23.4%) subjects, respectively. Thirty-day mortality, 5 (6.0%) vs 4 (5.2%) patients (P = 1.00), incidence of serious AEs, 24 (28.9%) vs 20 (26.0%) (P = 0.73), or time to intensive care unit (log-rank P = 0.15) or hospital discharge (log-rank P = 0.53) were similar for the HBOC-201 and RBC groups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Up to 7 units of HBOC-201 infused over the course of 6 days resulted in RBC transfusion avoidance in 43% of patients. There were no notable differences in mortality and serious AEs incidence. The use of HBOC-201 was associated with a notable excess of nonserious AEs.

Effects of a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (HBOC-201) and derivatives with altered oxygen affinity and viscosity on systemic and microcirculatory variables in a top-load rat model

The effects of a polymerized bovine hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (HBOC) and two derivatives on arteriolar vasoactivity and tissue oxygen tension were explored by administering HBOC in a dose-response fashion to normovolemic rats. The effect of oxygen affinity (P50) and viscosity was also explored, where the P50 and viscosity of the parent compound (HBOC-201) and its modifications (MP50 and LP50A) were as follows: 40mmHg and 3.0cP (HBOC-20l); 18mmHg and 4.4cP (MP50); and 17mmHg and 12.1cP (LP50A). Anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats (N=32) were randomized to receive one of the HBOC solutions, and were administered four infusions that increased in concentration for each dose (2, 22, 230 and 780mg/kg, IV). Data were compared to rats receiving an equivalent volume for each of the four infusions (0.4, 0.4, 3.8, 13.1ml/kg, IV) of iso-oncotic 5.9% human serum albumin (HSA). Increasing doses of either HBOC solutions or HSA were associated with increasing MAP. Doses 3 and 4 of HBOC-201, MP50 and HSA produced significant increases in MAP, whereas similar increases began at a lower dose (Dose 2) with LP50A. There were no significant changes in arteriolar diameters at any dose for any group. Interstitial partial pressure of oxygen (ISF PO2) remained unchanged for HBOC-201, MP50 and HSA, but LP50A caused a significant decrease in ISF PO2 compared to baseline after Doses 3 and 4. In conclusion, there was no evidence that HBOC-201 would perform better with increased oxygen affinity (40 to 18mmHg) or viscosity (3.0 to 4.4cP).