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Introduction: Patients with Haemophilia (PWH) need orthopaedic treatments and often they undergo surgery. Classically, PWH with inhibitors have to face such procedures earlier than other patients. Major orthopaedic surgery is not easy and complications are frequent. Emicizumab is the first monoclonal antibody introduced for haematological prophylaxis for PWH with inhibitors, achieving an efficacious haemostasis also in patients with severe haemophilia A with inhibitors, later demonstrated for PWH without inhibitors. A few years ago, emicizumab was also proposed for PWH undergoing surgery, as it supports excellent bleeding control. The literature on orthopaedic surgery using an emicizumab protocol is scarce: only isolated case reports with short-term follow-ups are available. Aim: The purpose of this study is the assessment of the mid-term outcomes of major orthopaedic surgery performed in a population of patients with and without inhibitors and an emicizumab regimen. Methods: We reviewed the records of 13 PWH (eight with high-titre inhibitors, five without) with a mean age of 54.6 years, undergoing 15 orthopaedic surgical procedures between 2017 and 2022: primary knee and hip arthroplasty, revision, pseudotumor excision, or amputation. Their prophylaxis consisted of the combination of emicizumab and boluses of rFVIIa (PWH with inhibitors) or rFVIII (PWH without inhibitors). The clinical parameters of evaluation were: VAS, Haemophilic Joint Health Score (HJHS), and standard radiologic studies. Follow-up was conducted at 1, 3, 6 months, and then yearly. The survival rate of all implants was also assessed. Results: The mean follow-up was 38.8 months (range: 12–65). All patients were successfully treated without complications during surgery. During the postoperative period, a patient affected by a septic complication two months after his pseudotumor excision underwent an above-the-knee amputation. All patients were regularly discharged to the rehabilitative ward, reporting satisfaction for pain reduction and improved joint and global function at the VAS and HJHS scores. No revisions or implant failures were recorded. Conclusions: A prophylaxis regimen with emicizumab and factor replacement in PWH with or without inhibitors undergoing major orthopaedic surgery ensures effective bleeding control and good postoperative clinical outcomes at mid-term follow-up, and may be routinely adopted in dedicated high-volume hospitals. This series is the most consistent to date reported at a single Haemophilia centre. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Eptacog beta is a new recombinant activated human factor VII bypassing agent approved in the United States for the treatment and control of bleeding in patients with haemophilia A or B with inhibitors 12 years of age or older. Aim: To prospectively assess in a phase 3 clinical trial (PERSEPT 2) eptacog beta efficacy and safety for treatment of bleeding in children <12 years of age with haemophilia A or B with inhibitors. Methods: Using a randomised crossover design, subjects received initial doses of 75 or 225 μg/kg eptacog beta followed by 75 μg/kg dosing at predefined intervals (as determined by clinical response) to treat bleeding episodes (BEs). Treatment success criteria included a haemostasis evaluation of 'excellent' or 'good' without use of additional eptacog beta, alternative haemostatic agent or blood product, and no increase in pain following the first 'excellent' or 'good' assessment. Results: Treatment success proportions in 25 subjects (1–11 years) who experienced 546 mild or moderate BEs were 65% in the 75 μg/kg initial dose regimen (IDR) and 60% in the 225 μg/kg IDR 12 h following initial eptacog beta infusion. By 24 h, the treatment success proportions were 97% for the 75 μg/kg IDR and 98% for the 225 μg/kg IDR. No thrombotic events, allergic reactions, neutralising antibodies or treatment‐related adverse events were reported. Conclusion: Both 75 and 225 μg/kg eptacog beta IDRs provided safe and effective treatment and control of bleeding in children <12 years of age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Immune tolerance induction (ITI) is the only proven strategy to eradicate factor VIII inhibitors in patients with haemophilia A (HA). Aim: To identify patients and treatment options with the highest chance of inhibitor eradication by primary ITI. Patients and methods: In the frame of the Italian ITI Registry, carried out from 1995 to 2015 (last follow‐up 2018), 137 primary ITI courses in severe HA patients (90/137 with poor prognosis) were analysed for predictors of outcome (complete/partial response or failure). Sixty‐six of them (48%) were prospectively evaluated. Results: ITI was successful in 91/137 patients (66.4%) and 70 (51.1%) achieved complete response within 11 months (median). Historical peak titres ≤200 BU/ml (P =.033), inhibitor titres ≤5 BU/ml at ITI start (P =.001), peak titres ≤100 BU/ml during ITI (P <.001) and missense mutations and small insertions/deletions of FVIII gene (P =.027) predicted complete inhibitor eradication. A score that considers the cumulative number of these variables predicted complete response with positive predictive values up to.81 at ITI start and.91 during ITI, respectively. Patients who had no bleeding (OR, 3.45, 95% CI: 1.4–8.6) nor other adverse events (OR 2.6, 95%CI: 1.3–5.3) during ITI had higher chances of complete response. During the 120‐month follow‐up (median), 2/70 patients who had achieved complete response relapsed (2.9%). Conclusions: This Registry, with a centralized review of outcomes, homogeneous data collection (half of which prospective) and long‐term follow‐up, provides insights for optimizing ITI, with a rationale for further studies in the currently evolving scenario of inhibitor management in HA patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Haemophilia patients with inhibitors often require a bypassing agent (BPA) for bleeding episode management. Eptacog beta (EB) is a new FDA‐approved recombinant activated human factor VII BPA for the treatment and control of bleeding in haemophilia A or B patients with inhibitors (≥12 years of age). We describe here the EB safety profile from the three prospective Phase 3 clinical trials performed to date. Aim: To assess EB safety, immunogenicity and thrombotic potential in children and adults who received EB for treatment of bleeding and perioperative care. Methods: Using a randomized crossover design, 27 subjects in PERSEPT 1 (12‐54 years) and 25 subjects in PERSEPT 2 (1‐11 years) treated bleeding episodes with 75 or 225 μg/kg EB initially followed by 75 μg/kg dosing at predefined intervals as determined by clinical response. Twelve PERSEPT 3 subjects (2‐56 years) received an initial preoperative infusion of 75 μg/kg (minor procedures) or 200 μg/kg EB (major surgeries) with subsequent 75 μg/kg doses administered intraoperatively and post‐operatively as indicated. Descriptive statistics were used for data analyses. Results: Sixty subjects who received 3388 EB doses in three trials were evaluated. EB was well tolerated, with no allergic, hypersensitivity, anaphylactic or thrombotic events reported and no neutralizing anti‐EB antibodies detected. A death occurred during PERSEPT 3 and was determined to be unlikely related to EB treatment by the data monitoring committee. Conclusion: Results from all three Phase 3 trials establish an excellent safety profile of EB in haemophilia A or B patients with inhibitors for treatment of bleeding and perioperative use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The association between haemophilia and the so‐called 'inhibitors', alloantibodies against the infused factor able to neutralize its clotting activity, is a very rare condition. Those sporadic patients suffer of an even more severe arthropathy and performing primary or revision arthroplasty become truly challenging. Literature about this topic is scarce, consisting in small case series, high rates of complications and mid‐term follow‐ups. Aim: The purpose of this study is the assessment of the long‐term outcomes of primary and revision arthroplasty performed in a population of patients with inhibitors, the more consistent to date reported at a single haemophilia centre. Methods: We reviewed the records of 18 patients with inhibitors (26 procedures) between 1999 and 2017, divided in two groups. Group A [primary total Knee‐Hip arthroplasty (TKA‐THA)]: 13 patients underwent 19TKA and 2THA; and B (revision): 5 subjects underwent 3rTKA and 2rTHA. All patients received the same haematological prophylaxis (rFVIIa). Haemophilic Joint Health score and VAS, and X‐rays were recorded pre‐ and postoperatively. The survival rate of all primary implants was assessed. Results: The median follow‐up was 12.2 years (3‐21) for group A, 8.6 years (4‐12) for B. Few complications have been reported; the overall survival rate was 94.7% at 15 years. All patients reported satisfaction, pain reduction and improved functional ability. Conclusion: Primary and revision TKA/THA in haemophilic subjects and inhibitors may be nowadays considered safe and effective if performed in dedicated multidisciplinary centres. The use of continuous infusion of rFVIIa showed an adequate haemostatic effect and low rate of complications. As expected, revisions are more prone to complications compared to primary arthroplasty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of neutralizing antibodies (inhibitors) against infused factor VIII currently represents the main complication of replacement therapy in patients with severe hemophilia A. Inhibitors, indeed, particularly high-titer inhibitors (>5 BU/mL), greatly complicate the management of bleeding, exposing patients to an increased morbidity and mortality risk, thus representing a significant burden for physicians of Hemophilia Treatment Centers (HTCs). Although bypassing agents (i.e., activated prothrombin complex concentrate [APCC] and recombinant activated factor VII [rFVIIa]) are available for the treatment and prevention of bleeding in inhibitor patients, their efficacy, safety, and cost-benefit outcomes are poorly known in the long term and should be further improved. In the frame of the update of recommendations for the management of inhibitor patients by the Italian Association of Hemophilia Centers (AICE), to collect more information on real-life therapeutic approaches with bypassing agents in this setting, a survey was conducted among the Directors of the Italian HTCs. From questionnaires returned by 55% of them, data on the use of rFVIIa and APCC in children, adolescent, and adult patients with hemophilia A and inhibitors were obtained and are summarized in this article, including information about the implementation of prophylaxis with both bypassing agents, the adopted regimens, and reasons for starting, adjusting, and interrupting such a therapeutic approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mild hemophilia A (MHA) is an X-linked bleeding disorder defined by factor VIII (FVIII) levels between 5 and 40 U/dL. Diagnosis occurs later in life compared with severe or moderate disease. Although bleeding episodes are especially posttraumatic, their unexpected occurrence may be potentially life threatening if diagnosis is missed or delayed. Desmopressin is the treatment of choice for MHA since it is cheap and safe, but a significant proportion of cases do not attain FVIII post infusion greater than 50 U/dL, which is considered a safe level for major surgery. Thus, replacement therapy may be needed and is usually successful in MHA, but recent data indicate that this can be associated with the occurrence of inhibitors against FVIII, as for severe hemophilia A. However, in contrast to severe or moderate hemophilia A, patients with MHA have a lifelong risk of inhibitor formation. Inhibitors may change the clinical phenotype dramatically, as the inhibitor frequently cross-reacts with the patient's endogenous FVIII, reducing the endogenous FVIII plasma levels below 1 U/dL. Specific F8 missense mutations predispose to inhibitor development. Inhibitors are frequently provoked by intensive treatment with therapeutic FVIII concentrates (more than 5 consecutive exposure days). Bleeding in inhibitor patients may be treated with desmopressin, high doses of FVIII concentrate or FVIII bypassing agents. Many inhibitors disappear over time when no FVIII concentrate is administered. However, this does not imply that a patient is tolerant and an anamnestic reaction may occur when treatment with FVIII concentrate is again necessary. To eradicate, an inhibitor different strategies may be used: watchful waiting, immunosuppression, or immune tolerance induction regimen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AVWS) is an acquired bleeding disorder, first reported in 1968, with clinical and laboratory features similar to inherited von Willebrand disease. This rare bleeding disorder occurs mainlyin patients with underlying lymphoproliferative, cardiovascular, myeloproliferative, and immunologic disorders. In contrast to acquired hemophilia A, AVWS is rarely associated with measurable anti-von Willebrand factor inhibitors. In most instances, AVWS is identified because of bleeding complications: in fact, more than 80% of the patients with this syndrome are active bleeders. Recurrent bleeding episodes occur in approximately 20 to 33% of patients with AVWS, especially following major trauma and surgery. Because of the heterogeneous mechanisms of AVWS, more than one therapeutic approach is often required to prevent or treat acute bleedings. Remission from some forms of AVWS can be obtained when the underlying disorders are treated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Aim Methods Results Conclusion Eptacog beta is a novel human recombinant FVIIa approved for use in the United States, European Union, United Kingdom and Mexico for the treatment and control of bleeding in patients with haemophilia A or B with inhibitors (≥12 years). It is also indicated for perioperative care in the same patient population in Europe and the United Kingdom.To assess the incidence of rebleeding and review treatment outcomes in subjects with haemophilia with inhibitors enrolled in the phase 3 PERSEPT 1 clinical trial.To treat mild/moderate bleeding episodes (BEs), subjects administered an initial 75  or 225µg/kg dose of eptacog beta, followed (if necessary) by additional 75µg/kg doses at predefined intervals until bleed control. This analysis used subject‐reported rebleeding to determine a rebleeding incidence for the first 24 h. Rebleeding through later timepoints was an exploratory, intention‐to‐treat analysis of bleed treatment data.Four hundred and sixty‐five BEs were analysed. Through 24 h, the proportion of rebleeds was 0% (initial 75µg/kg dose) and 0.5% (initial 225µg/kg dose). Through 48 h, the proportion of rebleeds was 3.2% (75µg/kg initial dose) and 5.6% (225µg/kg initial dose); the difference between initial dose strategies was not statistically significant. The majority of rebleeds were controlled with a single dose of eptacog beta and no subject who treated a rebleed required hospitalization.Subjects with haemophilia with inhibitors who used eptacog beta to treat mild/moderate BEs experienced a low incidence of rebleeding. Rebleeds that did occur were effectively controlled with eptacog beta (median, one dose) without the need for hospitalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]