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K Peerlinck

Publications and source records attributed to K Peerlinck.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Impact of choice of treatment for bleeding episodes on inhibitor outcome in patients with mild/moderate hemophilia a and inhibitors.

Patients with mild/moderate hemophilia A (MHA) may develop inhibitors to factor VIII (FVIII). In this condition, FVIII clotting activity (FVIII:C) baseline levels may remain stable for some patients, but may be reduced to less than 0.01 U/mL for others. Several risk factors for the development of inhibitors in MHA have been proposed. Genetic factors, such as mutations in the FVIII gene, may play a central role; however, other influences, such as intensive treatment with FVIII products, may also be important. Optimal treatment regimens have yet to be determined, not only for the eradication of inhibitors, but also for the management or surgical prophylaxis of hemorrhages associated with this condition. Several treatment options for the control of bleeding in patients with MHA and inhibitors (MHAI) are currently available, and the choice of therapeutic strategy should be given careful consideration; some treatments may produce an anamnestic response, thus delaying the return to FVIII:C baseline levels and adversely affecting the duration of the severe bleeding phenotype. To increase our knowledge of MHAI, a retrospective collection of data is currently being performed among hemophilia centers in France and Belgium. Based on five examples of patients with MHAI collated from preliminary study data, we illustrate the impact on inhibitor outcome of the therapeutic choices used to treat bleeding episodes in these patients.

Blood Coagulation Factor Inhibitors↗

Epidemiology of inhibitor formation with recombinant factor VIII replacement therapy.

This article reviews the epidemiology of inhibitor formation in patients receiving recombinant factor VIII (rFVIII) replacement therapy for haemophilia A. Data from pivotal trial programmes, post-marketing surveillance studies, and pharmacovigilance studies for all available rFVIII products were reviewed. To date, no comparative studies have been performed, and in the non-comparative studies, there were differences in the patient population enrolled and study design (including the number of patient exposure days). In the absence of comparative clinical trials, it is not possible to make comparisons between inhibitor data for the various rFVIII products. This review of the epidemiological data shows that across the pivotal trial programmes for rFVIII products, the observed incidence of inhibitors was in the range of 15-32% in previously untreated patients (PUPs) and 0.9-2.9% in previously treated patients (PTPs). High-titre inhibitors (peak >5 BU) were detected in 10-16% of PUPs and 0-2.3% of PTPs. Several initiatives proposed to help standardize collection and interpretation of inhibitor data for patients receiving rFVIII treatment are described. Such standardization would help to clarify the epidemiology of inhibitor formation across FVIII treatments.

Blood Coagulation Factor Inhibitors↗

Inhibitor treatment in haemophilias A and B: summary statement for the 2006 international consensus conference.

Participants in an international conference on the management of haemophilia patients with inhibitors developed a jointly authored summary of the findings and conclusions of the conference. Current knowledge of the genetic and immunologic mechanisms underlying inhibitor development was briefly summarized. Concerning the purported treatment-related risk factors, conference participants commented on the limitations of the available evidence and the need for more rigorous prospective research in a fully genotyped population. Other clinical considerations discussed included the unproved utility of routine surveillance, the need for assay standardization, the management of acute bleeding and approaches to joint disease prophylaxis and immune tolerance induction (ITI). A number of issues were identified as needing further investigation in larger prospective studies, ideally through international cooperation. Such studies should enroll cohorts that have been scrupulously defined in terms of mutation status and treatment exposure. Finally, conference participants urged their colleagues to participate in the currently ongoing international trials of ITI.

Blood Coagulation Factor Inhibitors↗

Characteristics of inhibitors in mild/moderate haemophilia A.

Patients with mild or moderate haemophilia A usually have a mild bleeding disorder requiring only occasional treatment with factor VIII (FVIII) concentrates. The frequency of inhibitor development in such patients has been the subject of several recent surveys, which significantly modified our appreciation of this complication. Studies of the anti-FVIII antibodies provided an explanation for the different bleeding phenotypes observed in mild/moderate haemophilia A patients with inhibitors. Antibodies distinguishing between the patient's mutant FVIII and the normal wild-type FVIII were characterized, in addition to antibodies inhibiting completely or only partially FVIII activity. T lymphocytes recognizing FVIII and likely involved in the development of the immune response to FVIII were successfully identified. The FVIII peptides recognized by those FVIII-specific cells bind to many major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules, which may provide an explanation for the lack of strong association between MHC haplotypes and inhibitor development. Although these studies have advanced our understanding of the conditions leading to inhibitor development, further work is required to determine whether the mode of FVIII administration significantly influences inhibitor development. Further studies of the genetic factors are also required to fully understand the mechanisms leading to inhibitor development in patients with mild/moderate haemophilia A.

Antibody Formation↗

Molecular mechanisms of mild and moderate hemophilia A.

Mutations responsible for mild/moderate hemophilia A were extensively characterized over the last 15 years and more than 200 mutations have been identified. However, most of the molecular mechanisms responsible for the reduced factor (F)VIII levels in patients' plasma were determined only recently. Recent progresses in the study of the FVIII molecule three-dimensional structure provided a major insight for understanding molecular events leading to mild/moderate hemophilia A. This allowed prediction of mutations impairing FVIII folding and intracellular processing, which result in reduced FVIII secretion. Mutations potentially slowing down FVIII activation by thrombin were also identified. A number of mutations were also predicted to result in altered stability of activated FVIII. Biochemical analyses allowed identification of mutations reducing FVIII production. Mutations impairing FVIII stability in plasma, by reducing FVIII binding to von Willebrand factor (VWF) were also characterized. Defects in FVIII activity, notably slow activation by thrombin, or abnormal interaction with FIXa, were also recently demonstrated. Biochemical analysis of FVIII variants provided information regarding the structure/function relationship of the FVIII molecule and validated predictions of the three-dimensional structure of the molecule. These observations also contributed to explain the discrepant activities recorded for some FVIII variants using different types of FVIII assays. Altogether, the study of the biochemical properties of FVIII variants and the evaluation of the effects of mutations in three-dimensional models of FVIII identified molecular mechanisms potentially explaining reduced FVIII levels for a majority of patients with mild/moderate hemophilia A. It is expected that these studies will improve diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

Factor IXa↗

Therapeutic choices for patients with hemophilia and high-titer inhibitors.

Effective treatment of bleeding episodes in hemophilia with high titer inhibitors (HTI) remains a challenge, despite the fact that the therapeutic armamentarium has expanded considerably over the past few years. Treatment safety has improved with the availability of porcine factor VIII (FVIII) and bypassing products such as recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa), and plasma-derived activated Prothrombin Complex Concentrates (aPCCs) that are virally inactivated. The major drawbacks of rFVIIa and aPCCs are their unpredictable hemostatic effect, lack of laboratory assays to monitor efficacy and dosing frequency, and the risk of thrombosis. The proceedings of a one-day workshop of physicians who specialized in treating patients with hemophilia held in Vienna on May 13, 2000 have been summarized. In making a decision regarding the choice of product, physicians often consider the type of bleeding episode (life or limb threatening), age of the patient, volume of the reconstituted product, previous exposure to plasma derived products, cost, efficacy, and safety. For plasma naïve patients, to achieve rapid hemostasis a majority of the panelists used porcine FVIII (for patients who lack porcine inhibitory antibodies) or rFVIIa. For patients previously treated with plasma derived factors, in addition to the above concentrates, aPCCs were recommended. Although no data exists regarding safety and efficacy, switching products was routinely practiced either because of availability or cost. Furthermore, the panelists were uncertain about the efficacy of bypassing agents in the prevention of joint disease in inhibitor patients. The workshop participants felt that future research offers the best solution to resolve some of the dilemmas faced by clinicians and may help individualise treatment in a hemophilia patient with a high titer inhibitor.

Animals↗

A novel cause of mild/moderate hemophilia A: mutations scattered in the factor VIII C1 domain reduce factor VIII binding to von Willebrand factor.

The mechanisms responsible for the low factor VIII (fVIII) activity in the plasma of patients with mild/moderate hemophilia A are poorly understood. In such patients, we have identified a series of fVIII mutations (Ile2098Ser, Ser2119Tyr, Asn2129Ser, Arg2150His, and Pro2153Gln) clustered in the C1 domain and associated with reduced binding of fVIII to von Willebrand factor (vWf). For each patient plasma, the specific activity of mutated fVIII was close to that of normal fVIII. Scatchard analysis showed that the affinity for vWf of recombinant Ile2098Ser, Ser2119Tyr, and Arg2150His fVIII mutants was reduced 8-fold, 80-fold, and 3-fold, respectively, when compared with normal fVIII. Given the importance of vWf for the stability of fVIII in plasma, these findings suggested that the reduction of fVIII binding to vWf resulting from the above-mentioned mutations could contribute to patients' low fVIII plasma levels. We, therefore, analyzed the effect of vWf on fVIII production by Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells transfected with expression vectors for recombinant B domain-deleted normal, Ile2098Ser, Ser2119Tyr, and Arg2150His fVIII. These 3 mutations impaired the vWf-dependent accumulation of functional fVIII in culture medium. Analysis of fVIII production by transiently transfected CHO cells indicated that, in addition to the impaired stabilization by vWf, the secretion of functional Ile2098Ser and Arg2150His fVIII was reduced about 2-fold and 6-fold, respectively, by comparison to Ser2119Tyr and normal fVIII. These findings indicate that C1-domain mutations resulting in reduced fVIII binding to vWf are an important cause of mild/moderate hemophilia A.

Animals↗

Mutations in the fibrinogen aalpha gene account for the majority of cases of congenital afibrinogenemia.

Congenital afibrinogenemia is a rare, autosomal, recessive disorder characterized by the complete absence of detectable fibrinogen. We previously identified the first causative mutations in a nonconsanguineous Swiss family; the 4 affected persons have homozygous deletions of approximately 11 kb of the fibrinogen alpha (FGA) gene. Haplotype data implied that these deletions occurred on distinct ancestral chromosomes, suggesting that this region may be susceptible to deletion by a common mechanism. We subsequently showed that all the deletions were identical to the base pair and probably resulted from a nonhomologous recombination mediated by 7-bp direct repeats. In this study, we have collected data on 13 additional unrelated patients to identify the causative mutations and to determine the prevalence of the 11-kb deletion. A common recurrent mutation, at the donor splice site of FGA intron 4 (IVS4 + 1 G > T), accounted for 14 of the 26 (54%) alleles. One patient was heterozygous for the previously identified deletion. Three more frameshift mutations, 2 nonsense mutations, and a second splice site mutation were also identified. Consequently, 86% of afibrinogenemia alleles analyzed to date have truncating mutations of FGA, though mutations in all 3 fibrinogen genes, FGG, FGA, and FGB, might be predicted to cause congenital afibrinogenemia.

Adolescent↗

A human antibody directed to the factor VIII C1 domain inhibits factor VIII cofactor activity and binding to von Willebrand factor.

The occurrence of factor VIII (fVIII) inhibitory antibodies is a rare complication of fVIII substitution therapy in mild/moderate hemophilia A patients. fVIII mutations in certain regions such as the C1 domain are, however, more frequently associated with inhibitor, for reasons which remain unclear. To determine whether inhibitors could map to the mutation site, we analyzed at the clonal level the immune response of such a patient with an inhibitor to wild-type but not self-fVIII and an Arg2150His substitution in the C1 domain. Immortalization of the patient B lymphocytes provided a cell line producing an anti-fVIII IgG4kappa antibody, LE2E9, that inhibited fVIII cofactor activity, following type 2 kinetics and prevented fVIII binding to von Willebrand factor. Epitope mapping with recombinant fVIII fragments indicated that LE2E9 recognized the fVIII C1 domain, but not the Arg2150His-substituted C1 domain. Accordingly, LE2E9 did not inhibit Arg2150His fVIII activity. These observations identify C1 as a novel target for fVIII inhibitors and demonstrate that Arg2150His substitution alters a B-cell epitope in the C1 domain, which may contribute to the higher inhibitor incidence in patients carrying such substitution. (Blood. 2000; 95:156-163)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Antifactor VIII antibody inhibiting allogeneic but not autologous factor VIII in patients with mild hemophilia A.

Two unrelated patients with the same Arg2150His mutation in the factor VIII (FVIII) C1 domain, a residual FVIII activity of 0.09 IU/mL, and inhibitor titres of 300 and 6 Bethesda Units, respectively, were studied. Further analysis of patient LE, with the highest inhibitor titer, showed that (1) plasma or polyclonal IgG antibodies prepared from LE plasma inhibited the activity of allogeneic (wild-type) but not of self FVIII; (2) the presence of von Willebrand factor (vWF) increased by over 10-fold the inhibitory activity on wild-type FVIII; (3) the kinetics of FVIII inhibition followed a type II pattern, but in contrast to previously described type II inhibitors, LE IgG was potentiated by the presence of vWF instead of being in competition with it; (4) polyclonal LE IgG recognized the FVIII light chain in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the recombinant A3-C1 domains in an immunoprecipitation assay, indicating that at least part of LE antibodies reacted with the FVIII domain encompassing the mutation site; and (5) LE IgG inhibited FVIII activity by decreasing the rate of FVIIIa release from vWF, but LE IgG recognized an epitope distinct from ESH8, a murine monoclonal antibody exhibiting the same property. We conclude that the present inhibitors are unique in that they clearly distinguish wild-type from self, mutated FVIII. The inhibition of wild-type FVIII by LE antibody is enhanced by vWF and is associated with an antibody-dependent reduced rate of FVIIIa release from vWF.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Arterial occlusion and thrombus aspiration after total knee arthroplasty.

Arterial occlusion after total knee arthroplasty is an uncommon complication. In the literature only a few cases have been reported, and non consensus exists on the optimal management for this condition. The authors report two patients with popliteal artery thrombosis in the early postoperative period. Both patients were treated with percutaneous thrombus aspiration, a technique that has not been reported previously for this indication. In both patients complete restoration of arterial perfusion and limb salvage was achieved, although ischemic necrosis of the anterior compartment muscles of the lower leg could not be prevented.

Aged↗

Some factor VIII (FVIII) inhibitors recognise a FVIII epitope(s) that is present only on FVIII-vWF complexes.

A mild haemophilia A patient (LE) with an Arg2150His mutation in the C1 domain of the factor VIII (FVIII) light chain was shown to have anti-FVIII antibodies inhibiting wild type but not self FVIII. Polyclonal anti-FVIII antibodies of this patient were purified by affinity adsorption using recombinant FVIII (rFVIII) and/or plasma-derived FVIII-von Willebrand factor (vWF) complexes. A distinct population of antibodies was obtained that bound to FVIII-vWF complexes but not to rFVIII, indicating that an epitope was created by the association of FVIII to vWF. Such antibodies belonged to the IgG2 isotype, but the FVIII epitopes to which they bind could not be mapped with precision due to vWF dependency. Depletion experiments showed that anti-FVIII antibodies recognising FVIII-vWF complex also distinguished wildtype from mutated self FVIII, indicating that the Arg2150His mutation alters the B cell epitope formed by the association of FVIII to vWF. To determine whether the Arg2150His substitution also alters the formation of the FVIII-vWF complex, the interaction between mutated or normal FVIII with vWF was evaluated in plasma. The dissociation rate of mutated FVIII from vWF was found to be significantly increased. The presence of an Arg2150His mutation therefore results in the disappearance of a FVIII B cell epitope generated by the association of FVIII with vWF. Patients carrying such an Arg2150His mutation and receiving infusion of wild-type FVIII may therefore be at risk of developing inhibitors to allogeneic FVIII only.

Antibodies↗

Mechanism and kinetics of factor VIII inactivation: study with an IgG4 monoclonal antibody derived from a hemophilia A patient with inhibitor.

The development of an immune response towards factor VIII (fVIII) remains a major complication for hemophilia A patients receiving fVIII infusions. The design of a specific therapy to restore unresponsiveness to fVIII has been hampered by the diversity of the anti-fVIII antibody. Molecular analysis of the specific immune response is therefore required. To this end, we have characterized an fVIII-specific human IgG4kappa monoclonal antibody (BO2C11) produced by a cell line derived from the memory B-cell repertoire of a hemophilia A patient with inhibitor. BO2C11 recognizes the C2 domain of fVIII and inhibits its binding to both von Willebrand factor (vWF) and phospholipids. It completely inhibits the procoagulant activity of native and activated fVIII, with a specific activity of approximately 7,000 Bethesda units/mg. vWF reduces the rate of fVIII inactivation by BO2C11. The antibody-fVIII association rate constant (kass approximately 7.4 x 10(5) M-1 s-1) is eightfold lower than that for vWF-fVIII association, whereas its dissociation rate constant (kdiss < or = 1 x 10(-5) s-1) is 100-fold lower than that for the vWF-fVIII complex, which suggests that BO2C11 almost irreversibly neutralizes fVIII after its dissociation from vWF. BO2C11 is the first human monoclonal anti-fVIII IgG antibody that has been isolated and allows the study of fVIII inactivation at the molecular level.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Fluorescent chemical cleavage of mismatches for efficient screening of the factor VIII gene.

The detection of mutations in large and complex genes represents a practical challenge in research and diagnostic laboratories. Available methods are either time-consuming or lack sensitivity. Mutation detection in the factor VIII gene, responsible for haemophilia A, is hampered by its large size, its many exons, and the high frequency of de novo mutations that result in different mutations in unrelated patients. For an exhaustive analysis of mutations in the factor VIII gene, we established a nonradioactive screening method based on chemical cleavage of mismatches (CCM). PCR-fragments of approximately 1 kb were generated from genomic DNA (exon 14) or after reverse transcription from mRNA isolated from blood cells. Some modifications have been made to improve the CCM strategy. First, using a fluorescent tag, the method gains safety and flexibility. Second, fluorescent detection allows an accurate sizing of digested fragments when measured on an automated DNA sequencer. Third, by labelling both 5' ends of the PCR-fragment, the detection rate is virtually 100%. Finally, in the case of an X-linked disease, samples from two patients can be mixed, which reduces the workload without losing information. In a pilot experiment, mutations were detected in 20 of 20 patients. In this series, three small insertions, two small deletions, one nonsense mutation, 13 missense mutations, and one splice mutation were found. Fifteen of these mutations are new. Thus virtually all kind of mutations are detectable by this method. Moreover, the analysis of the gene can be completed in 2 days.

DNA↗

Continuous infusion of recombinant factor VIIa in patients with haemophilia and inhibitors. Experience in The Netherlands and Belgium.

BACKGROUND: Initial clinical experience with recombinant factor VIIa (rVIIa) for treatment of haemophilia patients with inhibitors against factor VIII or IX has been obtained by administration of rVIIa by repeated intravenous bolus injections. However, continuous infusion of rVIIa may be a more appropriate administration method if prolonged treatment is indicated. METHODS: We have surveyed and analysed the initial experience with continuous infusion of rVIIa in the Netherlands and Belgium. RESULTS: Five hospitals treated 7 haemophilia patients with inhibitors on 9 different occasions (4 bleedings, 5 surgical interventions) by continuous infusion of rVIIa over a total of 59 days. Haemostatic coverage was considered effective in 8 out of 9 cases and partially effective in 1 case. Continuous infusion of rVIIa was aimed at rVIIa target plasma levels of 10 U/ml and a decrease in prothrombin time (PT) of 3 s compared to control levels. This was obtained by an initial bolus injection of 90 micrograms/kg prior to continuous infusion of rVIIa at doses between 30-6 micrograms/kg/h (mean 17.5 micrograms/kg/h). A conventional one-stage factor VII coagulation assay, often used in combination with a PT, was satisfactory in monitoring rVIIa treatment. The additional clinical value of anti-fibrinolytic and anti-thrombophlebitic treatment was unclear. CONCLUSION: In our experience, rVIIa appeared to be efficacious and safe when administered by continuous infusion. Continuous infusion of rVIIa is more convenient than bolus injections or rVIIa, easy to monitor and provides a cost reduction of > 50%. These advantages make continuous infusion an attractive administration method for prolonged treatment with rVIIa.

Adult↗

Inhibitory and activating human antiplatelet antibodies.

Platelets are essential for the maintenance of haemostasis and, on the other hand, play a pivotal role in the formation of a thrombus. It is clear that reduced platelet activity will result in a bleeding tendency, whereas stimulation of platelets can lead to thrombosis. Human antiplatelet antibodies may not only result in thrombocytopenia, but they have also been found either to inhibit or activate platelets. Inhibition by antibodies of the function of different receptors on platelets, such as collagen receptors, the glycoprotein (GP) Ib/IX (acquired Bernard-Soulier syndrome) or the GPIIb/IIIa complex (acquired Glanzmann's thrombasthenia), results in a haemorrhagic disorder very similar to the situation where the respective receptors are absent. On the other hand, reports have described a number of antibodies that activate platelets. The mechanism by which they do so varies and can involve interaction with the Fc receptor present on platelets, activation of the complement system or direct activation by binding to a signal-transducing antigen. Although the presence of such antibodies is expected to aggravate the problems due to the frequently occurring immune thrombocytopenia, treatment of these patients essentially relies on classical immunosuppressive therapy. In the case of activating antibodies, antithrombotic measures, such as anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents, can be envisaged.

Antibodies↗