Immune tolerance induction with moroctocog-alpha (Refacto/Refacto AF) in a population of Italian haemophilia A patients with high-titre inhibitors: Data from REF.IT Registry

Predictors of the outcome of immune tolerance induction in patients with haemophilia A and inhibitors: The Brazilian Immune Tolerance (BrazIT) Study protocol

The development of inhibitors is the main complication of haemophilia A (HA) treatment. Immune tolerance induction (ITI) is the treatment of choice for inhibitor eradication. We describe the methodology of the Brazilian Immune Tolerance Induction (BrazIT) Study, aimed to identify clinical, genetic, and immune biomarkers associated with response to ITI and inhibitor recurrence. This cohort study includes people with HA (PwHA) and inhibitors (a) who require bypassing agents to treat and/or prevent bleeding, and (b) who are at any stage of ITI treatment. Patients are included in each haemophilia treatment centre (HTC). Factor VIII (FVIII) and inhibitor assessments are performed at local laboratories of each HTC. The ITI regimen followed the national protocol of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. All PwHA starts with low-dose ITI (50 IU/kg three times weekly); high-dose regimen (100 IU/kg daily) is used if there is lack of response to the low-dose ITI. Outcomes are classified as total or partial success, and failure. Standardized case report forms with clinical, laboratory, and treatment data are collected from medical files and interviews. Blood samples are collected for genetic and immune biomarkers at the time of inclusion in the study and at the end of ITI. The study is ongoing and, currently, 202/250 (80.8%) PwHA from 15 HTCs have been included. BrazIT Study is the largest cohort of PwHA and inhibitor under treatment with the same ITI regimen reported to date. This study is likely to contribute with novel predictors of ITI response.

An update of the current pharmacotherapeutic armamentarium for hemophilia A

INTRODUCTION

For several decades, we have seen unprecedented advances in novel therapy development for hemophilia A. These advances address the unmet need of replacement therapy, and they include the development of recombinant products with improved pharmacokinetics, subcutaneously administered products, and those with better efficacy and safety profiles in hemophilia A management.

AREAS COVERED

In this update of hemophilia A treatment, the author summarizes data from completed standard half-life FVIII products, extended half-life FVIII products and FVIII mimetic studies. All products have an acceptable safety profile. The standard half-life products, EHL-FVIII products and emicizumab are efficacious in the prevention and treatment of bleeds and for EHL-FVIII in the perisurgical setting.

EXPERT OPINION

Advances in pharmacotherapy for hemophilia A have been characterized by changing care goals from supportive care to eliminating infections, preventing inhibitors, and more recently achieving zero bleeds in many patients. While gene therapy has the potential for functional cure in hemophilia A, it has many limitations which need to be addressed. Therefore, pharmacotherapy is likely to remain the mainstay in the management of hemophilia A and promises to get better with currently available therapies. Evolving factor and non-factor replacement therapies may also improve current unmet needs in hemophilia A management.