Hamostaseologie 2020; 40(05): 561-571
DOI: 10.1055/a-1127-6476
Review Article

Practical Guidance of the GTH Haemophilia Board on the Use of Emicizumab in Patients with Haemophilia A

Katharina Holstein
1   Haematology and Clinical Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
,
Manuela Albisetti
2   Division of Hematology, University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
,
Christoph Bidlingmaier
3   Centre for Development and Complex Chronic Diseases in Children (iSPZHauner), Department of Paediatrics, Paediatric Haemophilia Centre, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
,
Susan Halimeh
4   Coagulation Center Rhein-Ruhr, Duisburg, Germany
,
Sabine Heine
5   Department of Paediatric Oncology/Haematology, Saarland University Hospital, Homburg, Germany
,
Robert Klamroth
6   Internal Medicine, Angiology and Haemostaseology, Haemophilia Centre, Vivantes Hospital Friedrichshain, Berlin, Germany
,
Christoph Königs
7   Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
,
Karin Kurnik
8   Paediatric Haemophilia Centre, Department of Paediatrics, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
,
Christoph Male
9   Department of Paediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
,
Johannes Oldenburg
10   Institute for Experimental Haematology and Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
,
Werner Streif
11   Department of Paediatrics 1, Medical University of Innsbruck (MUI), Innsbruck, Austria
,
Cornelia Wermes
12   Haemophilia Center, Werlhof-Institute, Hannover, Germany
,
Carmen Escuriola-Ettingshausen
13   Haemophilia Center Rhine Main, HZRM, Mörfelden-Walldorf, Germany
,
on behalf of the ‘Ständige Kommission Hämophilie’ (Haemophilia board) of the German, Swiss Austrian Society for Thrombosis Haemostasis Research (GTH) › Author Affiliations

Abstract

Emicizumab has been approved for bleeding prophylaxis in patients with haemophilia A (PWHAs) with or without inhibitors. Because of substantial differences between factor VIII (FVIII) and Emicizumab, the ‘Ständige Kommission Hämophilie’ of the German, Austrian, Swiss Society for Thrombosis and Haemostasis Research (GTH) established a practical guidance for the use of Emicizumab in PWHAs. A systematic literature research was conducted in PubMed. Based on this and on personal experience, this practical guidance has been developed. Each single statement has been discussed among members of the ‘Ständige Kommission Hämophilie’ and revised accordingly. The final set of recommendations has been approved by all authors analogous to the Delphi method. This practical guidance is provided for physicians treating PWHAs with regard to general aspects, patient education, bleeding treatment, surgery, use of Emicizumab in previously untreated patients (PUPs), patients with newly diagnosed inhibitors and elderly patients. Patients should be treated in expert centres and adequate laboratory tests to monitor Emicizumab levels, FVIII replacement and inhibitors should be available. Early experience of immune tolerance induction protocols integrating Emicizumab is reviewed, and the limited experience in PUPs and very young children is described. So far, no thromboembolic complications have been reported with the concomitant use of FVIII or recombinant activated FVII for bleeding treatment or surgery. Activated prothrombin complex concentrate doses of >100 U/kg for >24 hours should be avoided whenever possible because of the high risk of thrombosis and/or thrombotic microangiopathy. In conclusion, this study is designed to support haemophilia physicians using Emicizumab in physicians treating hemophilia and using (PWHAs). With further post-marketing experience and trials, regular updates are necessary.

Zusammenfassung

Einleitung Emicizumab, ein bispezischer Antikörper, der wie aktivierter Faktor VIII (FVIII) wirkt, ist zugelassen zur Blutungsprophylaxe bei Patienten mit Hämophilie A ohne und mit FVIII-Inhibitor. Aufgrund substanzieller Unterschiede zwischen Emicizumab und FVIII hat die „Ständige Kommission Hämophilie“ der deutschen, österreichischen und schweizerischen Gesellschaft für Thrombose- und Hämostaseforschung (GTH) beschlossen, einen praxisorientierten Leitfaden für den Einsatz von Emicizumab bei Patienten mit Hämophilie A (PWHA) zu entwickeln.

Methoden Daten aus der Literatur (systematische Literaturrecherche in PubMed) und persönliche Erfahrungen wurden zusammengetragen und daraus Empfehlungen entwickelt. Diese wurden in der „Ständigen Kommission Hämophilie“ diskutiert und entsprechend revidiert. Die finalen Empfehlungen wurden von allen Autoren mittels Delphi-Abstimmung freigegeben.

Ergebnisse Die Empfehlungen beziehen sich auf Patienten ohne und mit FVIII-Inhibitor und beinhalten generelle Aspekte, Patientenaufklärung, Blutungsbehandlung, Operationen, Anwendung von Emicizumab bei zuvor unbehandelten Patienten (PUPs), Patienten mit neudiagnostizierten Inhibitoren und älteren Patienten. Patienten sollten in spezialisierten Behandlungszentren behandelt werden und adäquate Labortests zum Monitoring von Emicizumab, einer Faktor VIII-Substitution oder von FVIII-Inhibitoren sollten zur Verfügung stehen. Erste Erfahrungen mit Protokollen zu Immuntoleranz -Induktion in Kombination mit Emicizumab und die begrenzte Erfahrung mit sehr jungen Kindern wird berichtet. Bis jetzt wurden keine thrombotischen Komplikationen bei der zusätzlichen Blutungsbehandlung mit rFVIIa oder FVIII berichtet. aPCC-Dosierungen von > 100 U/kg über > 24 Stunden müssen vermieden werden, wegen des Risikos von Thrombosen und/oder thrombotischer Mikroangiopathien.

Schlussfolgerung Die Empfehlungen wurden anhand der aktuell verfügbaren Erfahrung entwickelt als Leitfaden für Hämophiliebehandler, die Emicizumab bei PWHA einsetzen. Mit weiterer Erfahrung und neuen Studien ist ein regelmäßiges Überarbeiten der Empfehlungen erforderlich.

Author Contributions

K.H. and C.E.E. performed the literature search and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. K.H., C.B. and C.E.E. drafted the recommendations. All authors took part in the discussion of recommendations, the Delphi survey and contributed to manuscript writing. All authors critically reviewed the final manuscript and approved it for publication.




Publication History

Received: 11 November 2019

Accepted: 25 February 2020

Article published online:
25 June 2020

© 2020. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 
  • References

  • 1 Kitazawa T, Igawa T, Sampei Z. et al. A bispecific antibody to factors IXa and X restores factor VIII hemostatic activity in a hemophilia A model. Nat Med 2012; 18 (10) 1570-1574
  • 2 Shima M, Hanabusa H, Taki M. et al. Factor VIII-mimetic function of humanized bispecific antibody in hemophilia A. N Engl J Med 2016; 374 (21) 2044-2053
  • 3 Uchida N, Sambe T, Yoneyama K. et al. A first-in-human phase 1 study of ACE910, a novel factor VIII-mimetic bispecific antibody, in healthy subjects. Blood 2016; 127 (13) 1633-1641
  • 4 Oldenburg J, Mahlangu JN, Kim B. et al. Emicizumabprophylaxis in hemophilia A with inhibitors. N Engl J Med 2017; 377 (09) 809-818
  • 5 Mahlangu J, Oldenburg J, Paz-Priel I. et al. Emicizumabprophylaxis in patients who have hemophiliaA without inhibitors. N Engl J Med 2018; 379 (09) 811-822
  • 6 Lenting PJ, Denis CV, Christophe OD. Emicizumab, a bispecific antibody recognizing coagulation factors IX and X: how does it actually compare to factor VIII?. Blood 2017; 130 (23) 2463-2468
  • 7 Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG. PRISMA Group. Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA statement. PLoS Med 2009; 6 (07) e1000097
  • 8 Hasson F, Keeney S, McKenna H. Research guidelines for the Delphi survey technique. J Adv Nurs 2000; 32 (04) 1008-1015
  • 9 Pipe SW, Shima M, Lehle M. et al. Efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of emicizumab prophylaxis given every 4 weeks in people with haemophilia A (HAVEN 4): a multicentre, open-label, non-randomised phase 3 study. Lancet Haematol 2019; 6 (06) e295-e305
  • 10 Young G. , Liesner R, Sidonio R, et al. Emicizumabprophylaxis provides flexible and effective bleed control in children with hemophilia A with inhibitors: results from the HAVEN 2 study. Blood 2018; 132 (Suppl. 01) 632-632
  • 11 Mancuso ME. , Callaghan MU, Kruse-Jarres R, et al. Emicizumabprophylaxis in adolescent/adult patients with hemophilia A previously receiving episodic or prophylactic bypassing agent treatment: updated analyses from the HAVEN 1 study. Blood 2017; 130 (Suppl. 01) 1071-1071
  • 12 Genentech U. Hemlibra global safety report for health care professionals. Accessed October 18, 2019 at: https://www.emicizumabinfo.com/hcp/emicizumab-safety-information.html
  • 13 Levy GG, Asikanius E, Kuebler P, Benchikh El Fegoun S, Esbjerg S, Seremetis S. Safety analysis of rFVIIa with emicizumab dosing in congenital hemophilia A with inhibitors: experience from the HAVEN clinical program. J ThrombHaemost 2019; 17 (09) 1470-1477
  • 14 Jimenez-Yuste V. , Klamroth R, Castaman G, Ozelo M, Aout M, Meier O, Santagostino E. A single-arm, multicentre, open-label, phase III clinical trial to evaluate the safety and tolerability of prophylactic emicizumab in persons with haemophilia A (PwHA) with FVIII inhibitors (STASEY): interim analysis results. Oral Abstract OC 60.3.Paper presented at: International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) Congress, Melbourne, Australia, July 6–10, 2019. (Res PractThrombHemost2019;3(1))
  • 15 Bravo MI. , Raventós A, Pérez A, Costa M, Willis T. Plasma-derived FVIII/VWF combined with emicizumab in hemophilia A plasma with and without inhibitor has a non-additive effect on in vitro thrombin generation Oral Abstract OC 53.3. Paper presented at:the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) Congress, Melbourne, Australia, July 6–10, 2019.(Research and Practice in Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 2019. 3(S1))
  • 16 Santagostino E. , Parnes A, Dhalluin C, et al. Surgical procedures in persons with haemophilia A (PWHA) without inhibitors receiving emicizumab – experience from the HAVEN 3 study. Haemophilia 2019; 25 (S1): 33
  • 17 Hartmann R, Feenstra T, Valentino L, Dockal M, Scheiflinger F. In vitro studies show synergistic effects of a procoagulant bispecific antibody and bypassing agents. J ThrombHaemost 2018
  • 18 Dargaud Y, Lienhart A, Janbain M, Le Quellec S, Enjolras N, Negrier C. Use of thrombin generation assay to personalize treatment of breakthrough bleeds in a patient with hemophilia and inhibitors receiving prophylaxis with emicizumab. Haematologica 2018; 103 (04) e181-e183
  • 19 Furukawa S. , Nogami K, Matsumoto T, Kasai R, Shima M. Pre-analysis for hemostatic effect of bypassing agents in hemophilia a patients with inhibitors under the emicizumab prophylaxis by global assays. Blood 2018; 132 (Suppl. 01) 3793-3793
  • 20 Santagostino E, Mancuso ME, Novembrino C, Solimeno LP, Tripodi A, Peyvandi F. Rescue factor VIII replacement to secure hemostasis in a patient with hemophilia A and inhibitors on emicizumab prophylaxis undergoing hip replacement. Haematologica 2019; 104 (08) e380-e382
  • 21 Kruse-Jarres R, St-Louis J, Greist A. et al. Efficacy and safety of OBI-1, an antihaemophilic factor VIII (recombinant), porcine sequence, in subjects with acquired haemophilia A. Haemophilia 2015; 21 (02) 162-170
  • 22 Kruse-Jarres R. , Callaghan MU, Croteau SE, et al. Surgical experience in two multicenter, open-label phase 3 studies of emicizumab in persons with hemophilia A with inhibitors (HAVEN 1 and HAVEN 2). Blood 2017; 130 (Suppl. 01) 89-89
  • 23 Zimowski KL. , Batsuli GM, Reding MT, et al. Maintaining perioperative hemostasis in patients with severe hemophiliaA and inhibitors receiving emicizumab prophylaxis. Blood 2018; 132 (Suppl. 01) 635-635
  • 24 Santagostino E. , Oldenburg J, Chang T, et al. Surgical experience from four phase III studies (HAVEN 1–4) of emicizumab in persons with haemophilia A (PwHA) with or without FVIII inhibitors. Oral Abstract OC 60.1. Paper presented at: the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) Congress, Melbourne, Australia, July 6–10, 2019.(Research and Practice in Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 2019. 3(S1):1–228)
  • 25 Seaman CD, Ragni MV. Emicizumab use in major orthopedic surgery. Blood Adv 2019; 3 (11) 1722-1724
  • 26 Kizilocak H, Yukhtman CL, Marquez-Casas E, Lee J, Donkin J, Young G. Management of perioperative hemostasis in a severe hemophilia A patient with inhibitors on emicizumab using global hemostasis assays. Ther Adv Hematol 2019; 10: 2040620719860025
  • 27 Oldenburg J, Schwaab R, Brackmann HH. Induction of immune tolerance in haemophilia A inhibitor patients by the ‘Bonn Protocol’: predictive parameter for therapy duration and outcome. Vox Sang 1999; 77 (Suppl. 01) 49-54
  • 28 Kreuz W, Ehrenforth S, Funk M. et al. Immune tolerance therapy in paediatric haemophiliacs with factor VIII inhibitors: 14 years follow-up. Haemophilia 1995; 1 (01) 24-32
  • 29 Brackmann HH, Lenk H, Scharrer I, Auerswald G, Kreuz W. German recommendations for immune tolerance therapy in type A haemophiliacs with antibodies. Haemophilia 1999; 5 (03) 203-206
  • 30 Brackmann HH, Gormsen J. Massive factor-VIII infusion in haemophiliac with factor-VIII inhibitor, high responder. Lancet 1977; 2 (8044): 933
  • 31 Collins PW, Liesner R, Makris M. et al. Treatment of bleeding episodes in haemophilia A complicated by a factor VIII inhibitor in patients receiving emicizumab. Interim guidance from UKHCDO Inhibitor Working Party and Executive Committee. Haemophilia 2018; 24 (03) 344-347
  • 32 Oldenburg J, Young G, Santagostino E, Escuriola Ettingshausen C. The importance of inhibitor eradication in clinically complicated hemophilia A patients. Expert Rev Hematol 2018; 11 (11) 857-862
  • 33 Santagostino E, Young G, Escuriola Ettingshausen C, Jimenez-Yuste V, Carcao M. Inhibitors: a need for eradication?. Acta Haematol 2019; 141 (03) 151-155
  • 34 MASAC Recommendations. Accessed 26 August,2019 at: https://www.hemophilia.org/Researchers-Healthcare-Providers/Medical-and-Scientific-Advisory-Council-MASAC/MASAC-Recommendations/Recommendation-on-the-Use-and-Management-of-Emicizumab-kxwh-Hemlibra-for-Hemophilia-A-with-and-without-Inhibitors
  • 35 Batsuli G, Zimowski KL, Tickle K, Meeks SL, Sidonio Jr RF. Immune tolerance induction in paediatric patients with haemophilia A and inhibitors receiving emicizumab prophylaxis. Haemophilia 2019; 25 (05) 789-796
  • 36 Shima M, Nogami K, Nagami S. et al. A multicentre, open-label study of emicizumab given every 2 or 4 weeks in children with severe haemophilia A without inhibitors. Haemophilia 2019; 25 (06) 979-987
  • 37 Barg AA, Avishai E, Budnik I. et al. Emicizumab prophylaxis among infants and toddlers with severe hemophilia A and inhibitors-a single-center cohort. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2019; 66 (11) e27886
  • 38 Adamkewicz JI, Chen DC, Paz-Priel I. Effects and interferences of emicizumab, a humanised bispecific antibody mimicking activated factor VIII cofactor function, on coagulation assays. ThrombHaemost 2019; 119 (07) 1084-1093
  • 39 Müller J, Pekrul I, Pötzsch B, Berning B, Oldenburg J, Spannagl M. Laboratory monitoring in emicizumab-treated persons with hemophilia A. ThrombHaemost 2019; 119 (09) 1384-1393
  • 40 Türkantoz H, Varnholt D, Tiede A. Monitoring of emicizumab (ACE910): comparison between clotting and chromogenic assay. 2019; Haemophilia 25 (S1): 98-99
  • 41 Paz-Priel I. , Chang T, Asikanius E, et al. Immunogenicity of emicizumab in people with hemophiliaA (PwHA): results from the HAVEN 1–4 studies. Blood 2018; 132 (Suppl. 01) 633-633