Von Willebrand Disease Epidemiology, Burden of Illness and Management: A Systematic Review

Factor VIII stimulants and other novel therapies for the treatment of von Willebrand disease: what's new on the horizon?

INTRODUCTION

Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is the most common inherited bleeding disorder, affecting about 0.6% to 1.3% of the population, and is characterized primarily by mucocutaneous bleeding secondary to defective platelet adhesion and aggregation. Current therapeutic options for those with severe disease are limited and require frequent intravenous infusions.

AREAS COVERED

This review discusses the current and recently completed clinical trials involving pathways to FVIII augmentation for the treatment of VWD. Clinical trials registered on clinicaltrials.gov and published data via PubMed searches through June 2024 were included.

EXPERT OPINION

Available treatment options to those with VWD are limited in part due to limited clinical trials, the complexity of VWD types, and the pharmacokinetics of current treatment options. The development of therapeutic options that reduce treatment burden is necessary to improve quality of life and reduce bleeding complications and in recent years there has been an increased interest from industry to apply novel therapeutics for VWD. The FVIII mimetic, emicizumab, has demonstrated early success in patients with severe VWD and is a promising treatment option for those who require prophylaxis. Furthermore, products like efanesoctocog alfa (Altuviiio®) and BT200 have achieved enhanced VWF/FVIII half-life extension could expand the current treatment landscape while concurrently minimizing treatment burden.

Outcomes Following Total Hip Arthroplasty in Patients Who Have Von Willebrand Disease Depend on Postoperative Anticoagulation

BACKGROUND

Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is the most common congenital bleeding disorder. This autosomal dominant condition arises from quantitative or qualitative defects of Von Willebrand factor. To our knowledge, this study leveraged a national database to characterize the largest VWD cohort of total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients to date, assessing 90-day postoperative adverse events and 5-year revision-free survival.

METHODS

Adult patients who underwent primary THA for osteoarthritis were identified from January 2010 to October 2021 in a nationwide database. Patients who had and did not have VWD were matched (4:1) on age, sex, and Elixhauser Comorbidity Index and compared with multivariable logistic regression. Patients were then categorized based upon venous thromboembolism (VTE) chemoprophylaxis prescription patterns to compare bleeding and thrombotic adverse events.

RESULTS

Of 544,851 THA patients, VWD was identified in 309 patients (0.06%). The matched cohorts contained 1,221 patients who did not have VWD and 306 patients who have VWD. On multivariable analysis, VWD patients had increased odds of 90-day VTE (odds ratio [OR] = 1.86) and hematoma (OR = 3.40) (P < .05 for all). No difference in 5-year revision-free survival was found. The VWD patients receiving aspirin or no prescriptions had greater odds of VTE (OR = 2.39, P = .048). Those on other chemoprophylaxis agents had greater odds of hematoma (OR = 4.84, P = .006).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with VWD undergoing THA had increased odds of 90-day VTE if using aspirin or no prescriptions, or hematoma if using other chemoprophylaxis. There is a delicate balancing act of clotting versus bleeding that must be considered in managing such patients, but it was reassuring that no difference in overall 5-year revision-free survival was found.

von Willebrand disease

von Willebrand disease (VWD) is the most common inherited bleeding disorder. The disorder is characterized by excessive mucocutaneous bleeding. The most common bleeding manifestations of this condition include nosebleeds, bruising, bleeding from minor wounds, menorrhagia or postpartum bleeding in women as well as bleeding after surgery. Other less frequent symptoms include gastrointestinal bleeding, haematomas or haemarthroses. VWD pathophysiology is complex and results from defects in von Willebrand factor (VWF) glycoprotein. Quantitative deficiencies are responsible for type 1 VWD with a partial decrease of VWF and type 3 with the complete absence of VWF. Qualitative abnormalities cause type 2 VWD, being further divided into types 2A, 2B, 2M and 2N. Although common, VWD is at risk of misdiagnosis, overdiagnosis and underdiagnosis owing to several factors, including complex diagnosis, variability of bleeding symptoms, presence of external variables (blood groups and other physiological modifiers such as exercise, thyroid hormones, oestrogens, and ageing), and lack of disease awareness among non-specialist health-care providers. Establishing the correct VWD diagnosis requires an array of specialized phenotypic assays and/or molecular genetic testing of the VWF gene. The management of bleeding includes increasing endogenous VWF levels with desmopressin or infusion of exogenous VWF concentrates (plasma-derived or recombinant). Fibrinolytic inhibitors, topical haemostatic agents and hormonal therapies are used as effective adjunctive measures.

Real-World Efficacy and Safety of Plasma-Derived Von Willebrand Factor-Containing Factor VIII Concentrates in Patients With Von Willebrand Disease in Italy

Plasma-derived von Willebrand factor-containing factor VIII concentrates (pd-VWF/FVIII-C) are the mainstay of treatment in von Willebrand disease (VWD). Real-world data on efficacy and safety of these pd-VWF/FVIII-C are required. To retrospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of pd-VWF/FVIII-C (Fanhdi® and Alphanate®, Grifols) in clinical practice in Italy. A multicentric, observational, retrospective study at 10 Italian centers was conducted. Eligible patients diagnosed with inherited VWD (ISTH criteria) were treated with either Fanhdi® or Alphanate® for bleeding episodes, prevention of surgical bleeding and secondary long-term prophylaxis (SLTP) according to clinical practice with medical records collected from January 2007 to December 2019. Efficacy/safety of pd-VWF/FVIII-C was assessed according to FDA-agreed objective criteria following regulatory procedures. Fifty-seven patients (M/F: 21/36) were enrolled in the study with the following VWD types: VWD1 (n = 29, 52%), VWD2A (n = 10, 18%), VWD2B (n = 7, 12%), VWD2M (n = 2, 4%), VWD2N (n = 1, 2%), VWD2 unclassified (n = 1, 2%), and VWD3 (n = 7, 12%). These pd-VWF/FVIII-C were used to manage 58 bleeding episodes (n = 24 patients), 100 surgeries (n = 47 patients), and 7 SLTP (n = 6 patients). Global clinical efficacy with these pd-VWF/FVIII-C was reported to be excellent/good in 85% of bleeding episodes, 98% of surgeries, and 100% of SLTP. As far as safety, no adverse-drug-related episodes, immunogenic or thrombotic events were reported. This study confirmed that Fanhdi® and Alphanate® were effective and safe in the management of bleeding episodes, the prevention of bleeding during surgeries and for SLTP in Italian patients with inherited VWD.

Unexpected massive bleeding during the modified LeFort III advancement surgery for Crouzon syndrome: A case report

Key Clinical Message

Vigilant monitoring for postoperative complications, including bleeding and dysrhythmia, is crucial in patients with craniosynostosis syndromes like Crouzon syndrome undergoing craniofacial surgery, with a thorough evaluation, including coagulation tests, assisting in diagnosing underlying conditions such as von Willebrand disease subtype 1 to inform appropriate management strategies.

Abstract

Crouzon syndrome is a rare genetic disorder affecting craniofacial structures. Its etiology is the premature fusion of cranial sutures. The LeFort III advancement surgery is a commonly used approach to correct malformations related to midface hypoplasia. Complications following surgical treatment of craniosynostosis and craniofacial syndromes can include both intracranial and extracranial problems. Reporting of this syndrome and the surgery complications, in addition to consideration of other differential diagnoses, can help improve the treatment plan and surgery outcomes. The aim of the article is to report a 14-year-old female with Crouzon syndrome who underwent the modified LeFort III osteotomy and developed unexpected massive bleeding during the surgery. Post-surgery, she experienced complications including dysrhythmia, hypothermia, and cyanosis. Treatment included fluid therapy, blood transfusions, and antibiotic therapy for suspected septic shock. Differential diagnosis was disseminated intravascular coagulation but was ruled out. Post-discharge, coagulation tests suggested von Willebrand disease subtype 1 as the diagnosis. Excessive bleeding during surgery for craniosynostosis syndromes is a significant and concerning issue in the surgical management of Crouzon syndrome. For patients with von Willebrand disease who are candidates for elective surgeries, von Willebrand factor concentrates or recombinant von Willebrand factor can be used.

Emicizumab in Type 3 von Willebrand Disease: Report of a Case with an Alloantibody and Literature Review

Type 3 von Willebrand disease (VWD), the most severe form of VWD, is an inherited recessive bleeding disorder caused by the complete deficiency of von Willebrand factor (VWF). The reported prevalence is 1 per million but varies worldwide according to the frequency of consanguineous marriages. The clinical phenotype is characterized not only by mucocutaneous bleedings, but also by hemarthroses and muscle hematoma, as in patients with moderate hemophilia. Long-term prophylaxis with factor (F)VIII/VWF concentrates is recommended in patients with a history of severe and frequent bleeds. A rare complication of replacement therapy is the development of alloantibodies against VWF, with the consequences of an ineffective therapy and risk of anaphylactic reactions upon treatment. Emicizumab is the first bispecific monoclonal antibody that mimics FVIII coagulant activity and is approved for prophylaxis of bleeding in patients with inherited hemophilia A with or without inhibitors and recently also for acquired hemophilia. In this manuscript we report and discuss available data in the literature on the use of emicizumab in type 3 VWD and describe the case of a female patient with type 3 VWD with a history of alloantibodies against VWF and posttransfusion anaphylaxis, recently and successfully put on off-label prophylaxis with emicizumab.

Pharmacogenomic Considerations for Anticoagulant Prescription in Patients with Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia

Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a vascular dysplasia that commonly results in bleeding but with frequent indications for therapeutic anticoagulation. Our aims were to advance the understanding of drug-specific intolerance and evaluate if there was an indication for pharmacogenomic testing. Genes encoding proteins involved in the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of warfarin, heparin, and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) apixaban, rivaroxaban, edoxaban, and dabigatran were identified and examined. Linkage disequilibrium with HHT genes was excluded, before variants within these genes were examined following whole genome sequencing of general and HHT populations. The 44 genes identified included 5/17 actionable pharmacogenes with guidelines. The 76,156 participants in the Genome Aggregation Database v3.1.2 had 28,446 variants, including 9668 missense substitutions and 1076 predicted loss-of-function (frameshift, nonsense, and consensus splice site) variants, i.e., approximately 1 in 7.9 individuals had a missense substitution, and 1 in 71 had a loss-of-function variant. Focusing on the 17 genes relevant to usually preferred DOACs, similar variant profiles were identified in HHT patients. With HHT patients at particular risk of haemorrhage when undergoing anticoagulant treatment, we explore how pre-emptive pharmacogenomic testing, alongside HHT gene testing, may prove beneficial in reducing the risk of bleeding and conclude that HHT patients are well placed to be at the vanguard of personalised prescribing.

Desmopressin as a Treatment in Patients With Von Willebrand Disease: A Systematic Review

Von Willebrand disease (VWD) and hemophilia A are the most common inherited bleeding disorders. Quantitative or qualitative von Willebrand factor (VWF) anomalies cause this disorder in men and women. VWF, a plasma glycoprotein, relies on platelets for primary hemostasis. It also carries and stabilizes factor VIII in the blood. VWD has several categories. Types 1 and 3 have partial or total VWF quantitative deficiencies. However, type 2 and its subtypes have VWF quality issues. The major treatment is desmopressin (DDAVP), which replaces endogenous VWF and factor VIII (FVIII). Plasma-derived VWF/FVIII products may also be substituted exogenously. Treatment with plasma-derived or recombinant VWF concentrates without FVIII is also possible. The purpose of this retrospective, single-center research was to evaluate DDAVP's efficacy in treating VWD based on many criteria established in the current literature. We looked at the results on Google Scholar, the Cochrane Library, and PubMed/Medline. There were a total of 10 papers found, evaluated, and accepted for inclusion in this study. A comprehensive analysis of DDVAP's role in VWD was compiled from the aforementioned papers. Various aspects of DDVAP were captured by including an analysis of complementary treatments used in surgical and clinical settings. We also describe the treatment's intended impact on the different variations of the disease. Given these results, further investigation is required to determine the most effective method for managing VWD so that it may be included in standard clinical practice.