Evolving Complexity in Hemophilia Management

Patient Perspective on Disease Burden and Gene Therapy for Hemophilia A and B: The "Haemvolution for Patients" Italian Survey

Hemophilia is a rare X-linked congenital bleeding disorder due to a deficiency of factor VIII (hemophilia A [HA]) or factor IX (hemophilia B [HB]). Replacement and nonreplacement treatments are available but have limitations. Gene therapy (GT) provides an effective, long-term, single-dose treatment option, now approaching clinical practice. This study aimed to understand patient perspectives on GT for HA and HB in Italy using a qualitative questionnaire distributed through Italian patient associations, addressing patient views on daily life, treatments, unmet needs, quality of life (QoL), and GT for hemophilia. In total, 141 participants had HA, and 14 had HB (severe 78.6%). Daily life was most affected by pain and/or joint function limitations (57.5% of participants), high infusion frequency (42.5%), management of breakthrough bleeding episodes (40.3%), and anxiety/fear of severe or sudden bleeding (38.8%). Despite current treatments, about half of the participants experienced three or more annual bleeding episodes. Most participants knew of GT (87.2%) and expected improvements in QoL (60.5%), reduced frequency of current treatments (53.5%), and a permanent cure (49.1%); 46.4% were unaware of its once-off dosage and 46.4% were not concerned about the costs they anticipated to be associated with GT. Although several fears were reported, 25.0% of participants were willing to undergo GT with the support of a multidisciplinary team. This survey provided valuable insight into patient perspectives on hemophilia and GT in Italy. Overall, relevant proportions of patients still experience limitations affecting their daily life. Most were positive about GT and anticipated improvements in their clinical outcomes and QoL.

Management of Renal Artery Aneurysms and an Arteriovenous Shunt in a Hemophilic Patient: A Case Report

This case report details the management of a 66-year-old male with hemophilia A (HA) who presented with recurrent hematuria, and was found to have renal artery aneurysms and was subsequently diagnosed with a renal arteriovenous (AV) shunt. While the primary focus centers on the successful endovascular coil embolization of renal artery aneurysms, the concomitant presence of the AV shunt accentuates the significance of this case. Imaging techniques were crucial in the discovery of renal aneurysms and the diagnosis of the AV shunt malformation of the renal artery. This included an ultrasound, CT-angiography and digital subtraction angiography. The treatment approach employed prioritized endovascular coil embolization for its efficacy and reduced morbidity. Following the initial successful embolization, the identification of the AV shunt during subsequent embolization led to its targeted treatment. The case was also complicated by acute prostatitis that was treated medically. The patient's HA required careful administration of coagulation factor replacement therapy to control bleeding throughout the process. This case highlights the importance of reporting on the management of rare and complex pathologies to better understand and guide future treatments, especially involving this rare combination of renal AV shunts and hemophilia A.

Barriers and facilitators of physical activity in adults with severe haemophilia: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND

People with haemophilia (PWH) tend to be less physically active than the general population, but there is a lack of research on the specific barriers and facilitators affecting their participation in physical activities.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to explore perceived barriers and facilitators to physical activity in severe PWH.

DESIGN

An explorative qualitative study based on focus groups.

METHODS

Four focus groups including 16 participants (severe haemophilia A patients) were conducted to examine the factors perceived as facilitators or barriers to haemophiliacs engaging in physical activity. One researcher conducted a thematic analysis of all data.

RESULTS

Three themes were identified: body function, personal factors, and environmental factors. Key facilitators identified were access to prophylaxis treatment to reduce the risk of bleeding(s), the enjoyability of physical activity, fitness and health motives, social interaction, support, and low cost. PWH faced additional barriers to being physically active including hurtful joints, mobility issues, haemophilic arthropathy, dislike or disinterest, lack of motivation, fear of injury, tiredness, lack of time, lack of guidance, negative social influence, restriction, and lack of coordination of prophylaxis treatment.

CONCLUSION

This exploratory study demonstrated that participation in physical activity in PWH is influenced not only by their own abilities and attitudes, but also by external variables, including family, friends, healthcare professionals, structures, and communities. The results of this study may be used to assist caregivers and health professionals, inform programs, interventions, and policies to promote physical activity and health in severe PWH.

Safety and efficacy of long-term emicizumab prophylaxis in hemophilia A with factor VIII inhibitors: A phase 3b, multicenter, single-arm study (STASEY)

Background

The bispecific monoclonal antibody emicizumab bridges activated factor IX and factor X, mimicking the cofactor function of activated factor VIII (FVIII), restoring hemostasis.

Objectives

The Phase 3b STASEY study was designed to assess the safety of emicizumab prophylaxis in people with hemophilia A (HA) with FVIII inhibitors.

Methods

People with HA received 3 mg/kg emicizumab once weekly (QW) for 4 weeks followed by 1.5 mg/kg QW for 2 years. The primary objective was the safety of emicizumab prophylaxis, including incidence and severity of adverse events (AEs) and AEs of special interest (thrombotic events [TEs] and thrombotic microangiopathies). Secondary objectives included efficacy (annualized bleed rates [ABRs]).

Results

Overall, 195 participants were enrolled; 193 received emicizumab. The median (range) duration of exposure was 103.1 (1.1-108.3) weeks. Seven (3.6%) participants discontinued emicizumab. The most common AEs were arthralgia (n = 33, 17.1%) and nasopharyngitis (n = 30, 15.5%). The most common treatment-related AE was injection-site reaction (n = 19, 9.8%). Two fatalities were reported (polytrauma with fatal head injuries and abdominal compartment syndrome); both were deemed unrelated to emicizumab by study investigators. Two TEs occurred (myocardial infarction and localized clot following tooth extraction), also deemed unrelated to emicizumab. The negative binomial regression model-based ABR (95% confidence interval) for treated bleeds was 0.5 (0.27-0.89). Overall, 161 participants (82.6%) had zero treated bleeds.

Conclusions

The safety profile of emicizumab prophylaxis was confirmed in a large population of people with HA with FVIII inhibitors and no new safety signals occurred. The majority of participants had zero treated bleeds.

A Cross-National Survey of People Living with Hemophilia: Impact on Daily Living and Patient Education in Central Europe

BACKGROUND

Information about the impact of hemophilia on daily living and information preferences for patients and their caregivers in Central Europe has been limited.

METHODS

This cross-national survey was conducted between April 1 and October 15, 2020 and utilized a self-administered questionnaire to collect data (Typeform™) from people living with hemophilia in Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia. The questionnaire included 22 questions regarding difficulties in daily life and preferences for receiving hemophilia-related information. Respondents were stratified into two main groups, people with hemophilia (PwH) or their caregivers (CPwH). Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Of the 364 respondents, 232 were PwH (63.7%) and 132 were CPwH (36.3%). In total, 70.3% of hemophilia patients/caregivers responded that they are kept sufficiently informed about life with hemophilia, with 68.0%, 59.1% and 56.3% of respondents obtaining information from their physicians, patient associations and via digital media (internet and social media), respectively. However, 97.8% of respondents expressed an interest in additional information, particularly new hemophilia treatment options (62.1%), which in contrast to other topics was indicated most frequently by both patients and caregivers in all six countries. Most frequent difficulties in everyday life with hemophilia were identified as mobility problems (41.8%), unexpected bleeding (38.5%), pain (35.4%), and uncertainty with what they can or cannot do (25.0%). During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, 52.5% of respondents reported that they did not experience any major change in daily living with hemophilia.

CONCLUSION

Based on our Central European survey, hemophilia mostly affects peoples' lives by causing mobility difficulties, unexpected bleeding, pain and uncertainty in daily activities. Although the majority of respondents reported being educated about hemophilia, most PwH and CPwH respondents sought additional information, highlighting the need for continuous personalized patient education to cope with present challenges.

Nanopharmaceuticals and nanomedicines currently on the market: challenges and opportunities

There has been a revolution in nanotechnology and nanomedicine. Since 1980, there has been a remarkable increase in approved nano-based pharmaceutical products. These novel nano-based systems can either be therapeutic agents themselves, or else act as vehicles to carry different active pharmaceutical agents into specific parts of the body. Currently marketed nanostructures include nanocrystals, liposomes and lipid nanoparticles, PEGylated polymeric nanodrugs, other polymers, protein-based nanoparticles and metal-based nanoparticles. A range of issues must be addressed in the development of these nanostructures. Ethics, market size, possibility of market failure, costs and commercial development, are some topics which are on the table to be discussed. After passing all the ethical and biological assessments, and satisfying the investors as to future profitability, only a handful of these nanoformulations, successfully obtained marketing approval. We survey the range of nanomedicines that have received regulatory approval and are marketed. We discuss ethics, costs, commercial development and possible market failure. We estimate the global nanomedicine market size and future growth. Our goal is to summarize the different approved nanoformulations on the market, and briefly cover the challenges and future outlook.