Loading...
Recombinant factor VIII has supplanted plasma-derived factor VIII for treatment of patients with hemophilia because it is not associated with the transmission of infectious agents. However, it does induce inhibitors (alloantibodies) in up to 35% of patients.
To determine whether the risk for inhibitor development varies among recombinant factor VIII products, investigators in France analyzed data from 303 previously untreated boys with hemophilia A who received either Kogenate/Helixate or Advate. Inhibitor assays were performed at roughly weekly intervals during the first 75 days of treatment.
Inhibitors developed in 38% of boys (median age, 15.2 months) after a median 13 days of exposure to concentrate. The risk for inhibitor development was…