From the Journals

Hemophilia A gene therapy under FDA review


 

FROM THE NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE

Study details

The new report followed up on the initial trial in 134 men who were treated with a single infusion of 6 × 1013 vector genomes per kilogram of body weight.

Among the 132 subjects available for 2-year evaluation, median factor VIII activity was in the range of mild hemophilia (6%-49% of normal) with an 84.5% reduction in bleeding events from baseline.

More than 80% of participants had no bleeding events requiring treatment, and there was a 98% reduction from baseline in mean use of exogenous factor VIII.

Overall, at year 2, 4.5% of subjects had factor VIII activity consistent with severe hemophilia A; 9.1% had activity consistent with moderate disease; 59.8% had activity consistent with mild disease; and 26.5% had activity in the normal range above 40 IU/dL. The investigators estimated that the typical half-life of the transgene-derived factor VIII production system is 123 weeks.

Among the six men who resumed prophylaxis, most had fewer bleeding events than when they were on prophylaxis before the infusion, investigators noted.

All the subjects developed antibodies to the virus delivery vector, precluding retreatment.

The work was funded by valoctocogene roxaparvovec maker BioMarin Pharmaceuticals. Several investigators are employees. Others reported ties to BioMarin and other companies; Dr. Mahlangu, for instance, reported research grants from BioMarin, Roche, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, and others. Dr. George reported a research grant from Asklepios Biopharmaceutical and having a patent licensed to the company. The full list of author disclosures can be found with the original article.

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

Pages

Recommended Reading

AAP guidance helps distinguish bleeding disorders from abuse
MDedge Hematology and Oncology
Royal family affliction or not, porphyria is treatable
MDedge Hematology and Oncology
Post Roe, pregnant SCD patients facing “dire” risks
MDedge Hematology and Oncology
FDA approves first gene therapy for hemophilia B
MDedge Hematology and Oncology
Beta-thalassemia: Benefits of gene therapy outweigh costs
MDedge Hematology and Oncology
ITP: Biologic beat placebo, but few patients improved
MDedge Hematology and Oncology
Abnormal bleeding common among youth with joint hypermobility
MDedge Hematology and Oncology
FDA approves once-weekly hemophilia A product
MDedge Hematology and Oncology
Europe approves first gene therapy for hemophilia B
MDedge Hematology and Oncology
Efanesoctocog alfa treatment: ‘Victory’ over hemophilia A
MDedge Hematology and Oncology