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Re-analysis of the PolyHeme Phase III trial dataset: Lessons for future haemoglobin-based oxygen carrier trauma trials
Mackenzie CF, Dubé GP, Pitman AN
Injury. 2023
Abstract
INTRODUCTION To assist design of future HBOC clinical trials for pre-hospital and prolonged field care, the haemoglobin-based-oxygen carrier (HBOC) Phase III trauma trial database comparing PolyHeme to blood transfusion was re-analysed to identify causes of adverse early outcomes versus the 30-day mortality outcome of the original trial. We questioned if failure of PolyHeme (10 g/dl) to increase haemoglobin concentration and dilutional coagulopathy versus blood, caused higher Day 1 mortality in the PolyHeme arm of the trial. METHODS New analyses of the original trial database, including Fisher's exact test, examined impact of interval changes in total haemoglobin [THb], coagulation, fluid volumes administered and mortality on Day 1 in the Control (pre-hospital crystalloids, then blood after trauma centre admission) and PolyHeme arms of the trial. RESULTS Admission [THb] was significantly greater (p<0.05) in PolyHeme (12.3 [SD = 1.8] g/dl) versus Control (11.5 [SD= 2.9] g/dl) patients. This early [THb] advantage was reversed within 6 h. Early mortality was negatively correlated with [THb] and maximum 1.4 h after hospital admission (17/365 for Control vs. 5/349 for PolyHeme). The mortality trend began reversing, when Control arm received blood. Coagulopathy was more common in the PolyHeme arm. Mortality rate was 2-fold greater for patients with coagulopathy in the control arm (18% vs. 9%, p = 0.1008) and 4-fold greater in PolyHeme arm (33% vs. 8.5%, p < 0.001). In a subgroup analysis of patients with major haemorrhage (n = 55), mortality was significantly higher in PolyHeme patients [12/26 (46.2%) versus 4/29 (13.8%) in control cohort (p = 0.018)], related to mean 10 liters more IV fluid administration and more severe anaemia (6.2 g/dL vs. 9.2 g/dL) in the PolyHeme cohort. CONCLUSIONS PolyHeme (10 g/dL) diminished pre-hospital anaemia. The inability of PolyHeme to reverse acute anaemia in a subset of major haemorrhage patients was due to volume overload secondary to high PolyHeme doses, resulting in dilution of clotting factors and low circulating THb (versus transfused controls) during the first 12 h of the trial. Haemodilution was associated with prolonged administration of PolyHeme, while blood transfusion was available to Control patients following hospital admission. Coagulopathy exacerbated bleeding, anaemia, contributing to excess mortality in the PolyHeme arm. Future trials for prolonged field care should evaluate HBOC with higher haemoglobin concentration, lower volume administration and transition upon trauma centre admission to blood plus coagulation factors or whole blood.
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Artificial Oxygen Carriers-Past, Present, and Future-a Review of the Most Innovative and Clinically Relevant Concepts
Ferenz KB, Steinbicker AU
Journal of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics. 2019;369(2):300-310
Abstract
Blood transfusions are a daily practice in hospitals. Since these products are limited in availability and have various, harmful side effects, researchers have pursued the goal to develop artificial blood components for about 40 years. Development of oxygen therapeutics and stem cells are more recent goals. Medline (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?holding=ideudelib), ClinicalTrials.gov (https://clinicaltrials.gov), EU Clinical Trials Register (https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu), and Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (http://www.anzctr.org.au) were searched up to July 2018 using search terms related to artificial blood products in order to identify new and ongoing research over the last 5 years. However, for products that are already well known and important to or relevant in gaining a better understanding of this field of research, the reader is punctually referred to some important articles published over 5 years ago. This review includes not only clinically relevant substances such as heme-oxygenating carriers, perfluorocarbon-based oxygen carriers, stem cells, and organ conservation, but also includes interesting preclinically advanced compounds depicting the pipeline of potential new products. In- depth insights into specific benefits and limitations of each substance, including the biochemical and physiologic background are included. "Fancy" ideas such as iron-based substances, O2 microbubbles, cyclodextranes, or lugworms are also elucidated. To conclude, this systematic up-to-date review includes all actual achievements and ongoing clinical trials in the field of artificial blood products to pursue the dream of artificial oxygen carrier supply. Research is on the right track, but the task is demanding and challenging. Copyright © 2019 by The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.
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Relative efficacies of HBOC-201 and polyheme to increase oxygen transport compared to blood and crystalloids. "2017 Military Supplement"
Dube GP, Pitman AN, Mackenzie CF
Shock (Augusta, Ga.). 2017
Abstract
BACKGROUND Because total hemoglobin in circulation ([THb]) is an established predictor of clinical outcomes in anemic individuals, the relative efficacies of resuscitation fluids to increase [THb] can be used to design better hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (HBOC) clinical trials. METHODS Expected efficacies of HBOC-201 (13 g Hb/dL) and packed RBCs (pRBCs, 24 g Hb/dL) to increase [THb] were calculated and interpreted in the context of SAEs in the HEM-0115 phase III clinical trial.The PolyHeme phase III clinical trial compared the HBOC, PolyHeme (10 g Hb/dL), to crystalloid control prehospital and packed RBCs in hospital. The comparative abilities of these resuscitation fluids to maintain [THb] were interpreted in the context of mortality. RESULTS In HEM-0115, infusion of HBOC-201 increased [THb] by 0.18 +/- 0.03 g/dL (N=121) compared to 0.87 +/- 0.07 g/dL (N = 115) following one unit of pRBCs. These observed increases in [THb] were similar to expected increases for these fluids. Use of HBOC-201 was associated with 0.34 SAEs per patient compared to 0.25 SAEs per patient in the pRBC arm (p = 0.016).Hemoglobin (Hb) Deficit was greater in HBOC-201-treated patients than in pRBC controls and emerged as a predictor of SAEs in a logistics model. Randomization to HBOC-201 had no power to predict SAEs.PolyHeme more effectively maintained [THb] than did crystalloid prior to arrival at hospital, associated with initially higher survival in the PolyHeme arm. Thereafter, PolyHeme subjects sustained lower [THb] and higher mortality than controls. CONCLUSION Greater anemia in subjects randomized to HBOC-201 was consistent with the relative efficacies of HBOC-201 and pRBCs to increase [THb] and may have contributed to more SAEs in the HBOC arm of HEM-0115 and greater long-term mortality in the PolyHeme trial.
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Emergency resuscitation of patients enrolled in the US Diaspirin Cross-linked Hemoglobin (DCLHb) Clinical Efficacy Trial
Sloan EP, Koenigsberg M, Weir WB, Clark JM, O'Connor R, Olinger M, Cydulka R
Prehospital & Disaster Medicine. 2015;30((1):):54-61.
Abstract
UNLABELLED Introduction Optimal emergent management of traumatic hemorrhagic shock patients requires a better understanding of treatment provided in the prehospital/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and emergency department (ED) settings. Hypothesis/Problem Described in this research are the initial clinical status, airway management, fluid and blood infusions, and time course of severely-injured hemorrhagic shock patients in the EMS and ED settings from the diaspirin cross-linked hemoglobin (DCLHb) clinical trial. METHODS Data were analyzed from 17 US trauma centers gathered during a randomized, controlled, single-blinded efficacy trial of a hemoglobin solution (DCLHb) as add-on therapy versus standard therapy. RESULTS Among the 98 randomized patients, the mean EMS Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) was 10.6 (SD = 5.0), the mean EMS revised trauma score (RTS) was 6.3 (SD = 1.9), and the mean injury severity score (ISS) was 31 (SD = 17). Upon arrival to the ED, the GCS was 20% lower (7.8 (SD = 5.3) vs 9.7 (SD = 6.3)) and the RTS was 12% lower (5.3 (SD = 2.0) vs 6.0 (SD = 2.1)) than EMS values in blunt trauma patients (P < .001). By ED disposition, 80% of patients (78/98) were intubated. Rapid sequence intubation (RSI) was utilized in 77% (60/78), most often utilizing succinylcholine (65%) and midazolam (50%). The mean crystalloid volume infused was 4.2 L (SD = 3.4 L), 80% of which was infused within the ED. Emergency department blood transfusion occurred in 62% of patients, with an average transfused volume of 1.2 L (SD = 2.0 L). Blunt trauma patients received 2.1 times more total fluids (7.4 L vs 3.5 L, < .001) and 2.4 times more blood (2.4 L vs 1.0 L, P < .001). The mean time of patients taken from injury site to operating room (OR) was 113 minutes (SD = 87 minutes). Twenty-one (30%) of the 70 patients taken to the OR from the ED were sent within 60 minutes of the estimated injury time. Penetrating trauma patients were taken to the OR 52% sooner than blunt trauma patients (72 minutes vs 149 minutes, P < .001). CONCLUSION Both GCS and RTS decreased prior to ED arrival in blunt trauma patients. Intubation was performed using RSI, and crystalloid infusion of three times the estimated blood loss volume (L) and blood transfusion of the estimated blood loss volume (L) were provided in the EMS and ED settings. Surgical intervention for these trauma patients most often occurred more than one hour from the time of injury. Penetrating trauma patients received surgical intervention more rapidly than those with a blunt trauma mechanism. Sloan EP , Koenigsberg M , Weir WB , Clark JM , O'Connor R , Olinger M , Cydulka R . Emergency resuscitation of patients enrolled in the US diaspirin cross-linked hemoglobin (DCLHb) clinical efficacy trial. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2015;30(1):1-8 .
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A safety and efficacy evaluation of hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier HBOC-201 in a randomized, multicenter red blood cell controlled trial in noncardiac surgery patients
Van Hemelrijck J, Levien LJ, Veeckman L, Pitman A, Zafirelis Z, Standl T
Anesthesia & Analgesia. 2014;119((4):):766-76.
Abstract
BACKGROUND We present the results of a previously unpublished hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (HBOC) study conducted in 1998-1999. METHODS In a multicenter, randomized, single-blind, comparative study of HBOC-201 versus allogeneic red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, no-cardiac surgery patients received HBOC-201 to a maximum of 7 units (n = 83) or RBCs (n = 77). Patients could be switched to RBCs for safety or any other reason. The efficacy end points were elimination and/or reduction of allogeneic RBC transfusions for 28 days. RESULTS The proportion of patients in the HBOC-201 group that avoided RBC transfusion was 0.427 (95% confidence interval, 0.321-0.533). Subjects in the HBOC-201 group received on average 3.2 units of RBCs versus 4.4 units in the control arm (P = 0.004). Seventy-nine (95.2%) subjects in the HBOC-201 group and 72 (93.5%) in the RBC group experienced adverse events (AEs), judged to be associated with study treatment in 59 (71.1%) and 18 (23.4%) subjects, respectively. Thirty-day mortality, 5 (6.0%) vs 4 (5.2%) patients (P = 1.00), incidence of serious AEs, 24 (28.9%) vs 20 (26.0%) (P = 0.73), or time to intensive care unit (log-rank P = 0.15) or hospital discharge (log-rank P = 0.53) were similar for the HBOC-201 and RBC groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Up to 7 units of HBOC-201 infused over the course of 6 days resulted in RBC transfusion avoidance in 43% of patients. There were no notable differences in mortality and serious AEs incidence. The use of HBOC-201 was associated with a notable excess of nonserious AEs.
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Does HBOC-201 (Hemopure) affect platelet function in orthopedic surgery: a single-site analysis from a multicenter study
Jahr JS, Liu H, Albert OK, Gull A, Moallempour M, Lim J, Gosselin R
American Journal of Therapeutics. 2010;17((2):):140-7.
Abstract
HBOC-201, Hemoglobin glutamer-250 (bovine), (Biopure Corp. , Cambridge, MA) has been studied in an international, multicenter, pivotal Phase III trial. A subset analysis of use of blood products indicated that the HBOC-201 group required no more than the packed red blood cell (PRBC) group and was limited to less than 6% in both treatment groups. In a subset analysis from one site, platelet function using PFA-100 was assessed before and after transfusion, and compared those receiving HBOC-201 versus PRBC. After initial IRB approval, patient consent for the Phase III trial and blood draws for PFA-100, an additional IRB exemption for retrospective chart review was obtained. cEPI and cADP means were compared at seven time periods: true baseline(before starting surgery and anesthesia), before transfusion, after transfusion, 1 day, 2 days, 3 to 9 days and 21 or more days after transfusion. Twenty-seven (HBOC: n = 12, PRBC n = 15) subjects were studied. Comparing data from before transfusion and baseline did not show statistically significant differences in any of cEPI or cADP measurements. cEPI means for the HBOC-201 group increased after transfusion compared to the true baseline (P = 0. 01), before transfusion (P = 0. 0004) and day 1 after transfusion (P = 0. 002). cADP means for the HBOC-201 group were greater after transfusion compared to the true baseline (P = 0. 05) and before transfusion (P = 0. 005). In the PRBC group there were no significant difference in cEPI and cADP means between all of the time periods. Our study shows that HBOC-201 causes mild platelet dysfunction. Although there were significant changes after HBOC infusion and cEPI and cADP mean values were above the upper normal limit, they did not reach the non-closure time. Further controlled studies are needed to establish definitively the effects that HBOC-201 has on platelet function in patients.
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HBOC-201 vasoactivity in a phase III clinical trial in orthopedic surgery subjects--extrapolation of potential risk for acute trauma trials
Freilich D, Pearce LB, Pitman A, Greenburg G, Berzins M, Bebris L, Ahlers S, McCarron R
The Journal of Trauma. 2009;66((2):):365-76.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vasoactivity has hampered progress of hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) due to concern for adverse blood pressure responses and secondary complications. A recent formulation, highly polymerized HBOC-201 (Biopure, Cambridge, MA), has been found to be less vasoactive than prior less polymerized formulations, and to improve outcome in animal models of hemorrhagic shock (HS) compared with standard resuscitation fluids. HBOCs are envisioned to have life- saving potential for severe trauma patients for whom death due to HS is common despite transport to level I trauma centers. As part of a benefit:risk analysis for a proposed clinical trial of HBOC-201 in patients with traumatic HS, we analyzed data from a previous phase III clinical trial of this HBOC that involved orthopedic surgery patients, for vasoactivity and related effects, with focus on patients more representative of the trauma population. STUDY DESIGN In a previous phase III study involving orthopedic surgery patients, HEM-0115, consented/stabilized patients were randomized to receive HBOC-201 (N = 350) (up to ten 30 g Hb units) or red blood cells (RBC) (N = 338) (up to 9 units) at the first transfusion decision. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) responses, key system and individual adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events, and cardiac biomarker elevation incidences, were compared in the overall population and subpopulations with stable trauma, hypotension, and with age stratification (Student's t and Fisher's exact tests, significance p < 0. 05). RESULTS Mild to moderate peak SBP responses were common in HBOC-201 subjects and more common than with RBC in the overall population (mean, 60. 8 years old), but less frequent in HBOC-201 subjects with stable trauma, younger age (<50 years old), and hypotension, in whom group differences were narrowed. SBP Delta responses were more common with HBOC-201 than RBC in the overall population, but not in subjects with stable trauma and <50 year olds, in whom response rates were lower. In the overall population, AEs were more common than with RBC in most systems (also, hypertension and stroke); only cardiac system serious adverse events were more common with HBOC-201. In contrast, there were few significant group differences in stable trauma, hypotensive, and <70 and especially <50-year-old subjects, in whom AE incidences were generally lower. A disproportionate number of key AEs occurred in elderly subjects. Troponin (but not CK-MB) elevation was more frequent with HBOC-201 than RBC in the overall population but not in <50 year olds, and was not associated with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or death. CONCLUSIONS Our limited HEM-0115 safety analysis shows that key potentially vasoactivity-related adverse safety signals were more frequent with HBOC-201 than RBC in older patients undergoing orthopedic surgery with rapid access to safe blood transfusions. That incidences of these safety signals were generally lower and group differences narrowed in subpopulations with stable trauma, hypotension, and younger age, suggests an acceptable safety profile in younger acute trauma populations, especially in settings where rapid access to safe blood transfusions is unavailable; confirmation in controlled clinical trials is urgently warranted.
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The USA Multicenter Prehosptial Hemoglobin-based Oxygen Carrier Resuscitation Trial: scientific rationale, study design, and results
Moore EE, Johnson JL, Moore FA, Moore HB
Critical Care Clinics. 2009;25((2):):325-56.
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Abstract
Human polymerized hemoglobin (PolyHeme) is a universally compatible oxygen carrier developed for use when red blood cells are unavailable and oxygen-carrying replacement is needed to treat life-threatening anemia. This multicenter phase III trial assessed survival of patients resuscitated with a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier starting at the scene of injury. Patients resuscitated with PolyHeme had outcomes comparable to those receiving the standard of care including rapid access to stored red blood cells. Although there were more adverse events in the PolyHeme group compared with control patients receiving blood, the observed safety profile is acceptable for the intended population. The benefit-to-risk ratio of PolyHeme is favorable when blood is needed but is not available or an option.
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Human polymerized hemoglobin for the treatment of hemorrhagic shock when blood is unavailable: the USA multicenter trial
Moore EE, Moore FA, Fabian TC, Bernard AC, Fulda GJ, Hoyt DB, Duane TM, Weireter LJ, Gomez GA, Cipolle MD, et al
Journal of the American College of Surgeons. 2009;208((1):):1-13.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human polymerized hemoglobin (PolyHeme, Northfield Laboratories) is a universally compatible oxygen carrier developed to treat life-threatening anemia. This multicenter phase III trial was the first US study to assess survival of patients resuscitated with a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier starting at the scene of injury. STUDY DESIGN Injured patients with a systolic blood pressure≤90 mmHg were randomized to receive field resuscitation with PolyHeme or crystalloid. Study patients continued to receive up to 6 U of PolyHeme during the first 12 hours postinjury before receiving blood. Control patients received blood on arrival in the trauma center. This trial was conducted as a dual superiority/noninferiority primary end point. RESULTS Seven hundred fourteen patients were enrolled at 29 urban Level I trauma centers (79% men; mean age 37. 1 years). Injury mechanism was blunt trauma in 48%, and median transport time was 26 minutes. There was no significant difference between day 30 mortality in the as-randomized (13. 4% PolyHeme versus 9. 6% control) or per-protocol (11. 1% PolyHeme versus 9. 3% control) cohorts. Allogeneic blood use was lower in the PolyHeme group (68% versus 50% in the first 12 hours). The incidence of multiple organ failure was similar (7. 4% PolyHeme versus 5. 5% control). Adverse events (93% versus 88%; p=0. 04) and serious adverse events (40% versus 35%; p=0. 12), as anticipated, were frequent in the PolyHeme and control groups, respectively. Although myocardial infarction was reported by the investigators more frequently in the PolyHeme group (3% PolyHeme versus 1% control), a blinded committee of experts reviewed records of all enrolled patients and found no discernable difference between groups. CONCLUSIONS Patients resuscitated with PolyHeme, without stored blood for up to 6 U in 12 hours postinjury, had outcomes comparable with those for the standard of care. Although there were more adverse events in the PolyHeme group, the benefit-to-risk ratio of PolyHeme is favorable when blood is needed but not available.
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Haemodynamic effects, safety, and tolerability of haemoglobin-based oxygen carrier-201 in patients undergoing PCI for CAD
Serruys PW, Vranckx P, Slagboom T, Regar E, Meliga E, de Winter RJ, Heyndrickx G, Schuler G, van Remortel EA, Dube GP, et al
Eurointervention. 2008;3((5):):600-9.
Abstract
AIMS: Haemoglobin based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) are considered in the treatment of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In light of their potential vasopressor and colloidal properties, their effect on coronary physiology, safety and tolerability needs to be established. METHODS AND RESULTS In this phase II pilot trial, 45 patients were randomly assigned, (1:1:1) to double blind treatment with a 30 minute intravenous (IV) infusion of either 15 or 30 g of HBOC-201, compared to an equivalent volume of non-oxygen carrier colloid control. Systemic, pulmonary, and coronary haemodynamics were studied during this infusion period. IV HBOC-201 administration produced an increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and calculated systemic vascular resistance (SVR) and a concomitant decrease in cardiac output (CO); there was a decrease in mixed venous saturation (SVO2) following IV HBOC-201. The left ventricular stroke work index (LVSWI) was not altered by HBOC-201 treatment. Of note, no coronary vasoconstriction was observed, nor were there significant changes in resting average peak velocity (APV), coronary-artery diameter, volumetric coronary blood flow, or coronary vascular resistance. The percentage of patients with adverse events did not differ between the HBOC-201 treated and control groups (76% vs. 63%, respectively, P=0.49). Seven serious adverse events (SAE) occurred in six patients in the treatment group and two in two patients in the control group. Only one SAE (hypertension) was judged HBOC-201 related. Patients in both the HBOC-201 and control group had a similar incidence of increased liver alanine transaminase (31% vs 31%, respectively, NS); 10% of the patients in the HBOC-201 group had increases greater than three times the upper limit of normal. Differential increases were noticed in some inflammatory markers (IL-6, CRP) 18-24 hours after infusion between the HBOC-201 arms and the control group. CONCLUSION No compromise in the coronary blood flow or LVSWI was observed despite HBOC-201's known vasoactive effects. One SAE was adjudicated as "drug related" and fully resolved. The clinical relevance of the differential rise in certain biochemical markers and the adverse effects of plasma haemoglobin in the context of ACS needs further investigation.