1.
Recombinant activated factor VII in treatment of bleeding complications following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Pihusch M, Bacigalupo A, Szer J, von Depka Prondzinski M, Gaspar-Blaudschun B, Hyveled L, Brenner B, F7BMT- Trial Investigators
Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. 2005;3((9):):1935-44.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Bleeding is a common complication following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and standard hemostatic treatment is often ineffective. We conducted a multicentre, randomized trial of the efficacy and safety of activated recombinant factor VII (rFVIIa, NovoSeven) in the treatment of bleeding following HSCT. METHODS 100 patients with moderate or severe bleeding (52 gastrointestinal; 26 hemorrhagic cystitis; seven pulmonary; one cerebral; 14 other) were included from days +2 to +180 post-transplant (97 allogeneic; three autologous) to receive seven doses of rFVIIa (40, 80 or 160 microg kg(-1)) or placebo every 6 h. The primary efficacy endpoint was the change in bleeding score between the first administration and 38 h. RESULTS No significant effect of increasing rFVIIa dose was observed on the primary endpoint. A post hoc analysis comparing each rFVIIa dose with placebo showed that 80 microg kg(-1) rFVIIa improved the bleeding score at the 38 h time point (81% vs. 57%, P = 0. 021). This effect was not seen at 160 microg kg(-1). There were no differences in transfusion requirements across dose groups. There was no trend in the type or number of severe adverse events observed. Six thromboembolic events were observed in the active treatment groups: three during, and three following the 96-h observation period. CONCLUSIONS Despite no overall effect of rFVIIa treatment on primary endpoint, post hoc analysis showed an improvement in the control of bleeding for 80 microg kg(-1) rFVIIa vs. standard hemostatic treatment. The heterogeneity of the population may have contributed to the lack of an increasing effect with increased dose. Further trials should focus upon identifying the patient populations that may benefit from treatment with rFVIIa.
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Haemopoietic stem cell transplants: the impact of haemorrhagic complications
Bacigalupo A
Blood Reviews. 2003;17((Suppl 1):):S6-S10.
Abstract
Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is the most important complication of allogeneic haemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), increasing susceptibility to haemorrhage and risk of early mortality. We evaluated 807 allogeneic HSCT patients to assess both the association between bleeding and GVHD, and the influence of haemorrhagic complications on clinical outcome. Up to 55% of patients with grade III-IV GVHD experienced bleeding, compared with 23% of patients with grades 0-1. Furthermore, 45% of patients receiving non-HLA-identical transplants suffered haemorrhage, whereas only 23% of patients receiving transplants from HLA-identical donors experienced bleeding. This can be explained by the higher incidence of severe GVHD among recipients of non-HLA-identical transplants. Our findings also demonstrated that haemorrhagic complications - particularly bleeding from the GI tract - markedly increase patient mortality. An ongoing, multi-centre, randomised, double-blind trial is currently investigating the efficacy and safety of recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa, NovoSeven(R) in the treatment of HSCT-associated bleeding. The trial will examine the ability of three dose levels of rFVIIa to reduce - or even eliminate entirely the incidence and severity of haemorrhage following such procedures. A total enrolment of 100 patients is anticipated, and preliminary data are expected at the end of 2003.
