Factor VIII medicines: no clear and consistent evidence of difference in risk of inhibitor development between classes
EMA concludes review of human factor VIII medicines authorised in EU
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has concluded that there is no clear and consistent evidence of a difference in the incidence of inhibitor development between the two classes of factor VIII medicines: those derived from plasma and those made by recombinant DNA technology.
EMA’s review was started following publication of the SIPPET study (1), which concluded that recombinant factor VIII medicines had a higher incidence of inhibitor development than plasma-derived medicines. The review also covered other relevant interventional clinical trials and observational studies. When all these data were examined, they did not provide clear evidence of a difference in risk of inhibitor development between the two classes of medicines.
Factor VIII is needed for blood to clot normally and is lacking in patients with haemophilia A. Factor VIII medicines replace the missing factor VIII and help control and prevent bleeding. However the body may develop inhibitors as a reaction to these medicines, particularly when patients first start treatment. The inhibitors reduce the medicines’ effect, so bleeding is no longer controlled.
Due to the different characteristics of individual products within the two classes, EMA concluded that the risk of inhibitor development should be evaluated individually for each medicine, regardless of class. The risk for each product will continue to be assessed as more evidence becomes available.
To reflect current knowledge, the prescribing information of factor VIII medicines will be updated to include, as appropriate, inhibitor development as a very common side effect in previously untreated patients, and as an uncommon side effect in previously treated patients. The warning on inhibitor development will be amended to state that low levels of inhibitors pose less risk of severe bleeding than high levels.
Information for patients
- Some patients with haemophilia A taking factor VIII medicines produce inhibitor proteins which stop these medicines from working properly.
- EMA looked at data to assess whether there is a difference in the risk of inhibitor development between factor VIII medicines manufactured with DNA technology and those extracted from human blood.
- EMA concluded that there is no clear evidence of a difference in the risk of inhibitor development between the two classes of factor VIII medicines. Patients should therefore continue to use their factor VIII medicines as prescribed by the doctor.
- Package leaflets for factor VIII medicines will be updated as needed to say that inhibitor development is very common in patients with haemophilia A who have not previously had factor VIII medicines and is uncommon in patients who have already been treated with these medicines.
- Patients with any questions or concerns should contact their doctor or healthcare professional.
Information for healthcare professionals
- Current evidence does not support a conclusion of a difference in risk of inhibitor development between recombinant and plasma-derived factor VIII medicines and does not warrant any change in clinical practice.
- EMA’s review of factor VIII medicines followed publication of the SIPPET study, a randomised clinical trial in which previously untreated patients with severe haemophilia A were treated with either blood-derived or recombinant factor VIII and development of inhibitors was assessed (1). The SIPPET investigators concluded that ‘patients treated with plasma-derived factor VIII containing von Willebrand factor had a lower incidence of inhibitors than those treated with recombinant factor VIII.’ This study and additional clinical trial and observational study data were examined in the review (including studies described in 2–5).
- The review concluded that the data did not show any statistically or clinically meaningful difference in inhibitor risk between factor VIII classes. The SIPPET study was designed to assess class effects and included a small number of factor VIII medicines, and the review considered that the results cannot be extrapolated to individual medicines, especially since many were not included in the study.
- The prescribing information for factor VIII products will be updated as appropriate to add inhibitor development as a very common side effect in previously untreated patients and as uncommon in previously treated patients. The warning on inhibitor development will be amended to state that low titres of inhibitors pose less risk of insufficient response than high titres.
The full press release can be accessed here.
Jim is aged 66 and has Haemophilia A with a high titer inhibitor which he developed at age 14.
Maria Elisa Mancuso (MD, PhD) is a Haematologist and works as a Senior Haematology Consultant at the Center for Thrombosis and Haemorrhagic Diseases of IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital in Rozzano, Milan, Italy. She is Adjunct Clinical Professor at Humanitas University. She obtained a post-degree in Clinical and Experimental Haematology and a PhD in Clinical Methodology. She is involved in clinical research and has published several original articles in peer-reviewed journals a The Lancet, Blood, Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Haematologica, Thrombosis and Haemostasis, British Journal of Haematology and Haemophilia. She is reviewer for several peer-reviewed journals and member of the Editorial Board of JTH. She is a member of several scientific societies (ISTH, WFH, ASH, EAHAD, SISET, AICE) and was a medical member of the Inhibitor Working Group of the European Hemophilia Consortium. She is co-chair of the ADVANCE Study Group. She has acted also as co-chair of the Scientific and Standardization Subcommittee of ISTH on FVIII, FIX and rare bleeding disorders. She has been involved as principal and co-investigator in several clinical trials, and she takes care of both children and adults with hemophilia and other congenital bleeding disorders with a specific scientific interest in novel therapies, prophylaxis, inhibitors, and chronic hepatitis C.
As a patient with factor II deficiency, the diagnostic and treatment of rare bleeding disorders is a matter dear to my heart. My motivation to participate in the work of the ERIN committee is to improve both diagnostic and treatment for patients with rare bleeding disorders across Europe.
Economist and financial expert by profession, executive coach and trainer by passion and haemophilia advocate by every drop of my blood through my son (who has severe haemophilia A with inhibitors). Bringing a good decade of practical experience from the corporate insurance world, laser focus, growth mindset and resilience from my own experience, offering you anything I can just do, in hope that together we can make life more fulfilled for those impacted by bleeding disorders.
Amy Owen-Wyard is a Registered Mental Health Nurse. With experience working with children, young people, their families and adults with severe and enduring mental health conditions. Amy was also involved in a service improvement to provide a holistic care approach for those in general hospitals to support both their mental and physical health, whilst sharing her expertise and knowledge in mental health with the wider multidisciplinary team.
