Hemophilia: Replacement Therapy Is Still Key, State Clinicians at 2019 CLAHT Congress Symposium

Two experts in Hemophilia vigorously battled the role of replacement therapy in the treatment of Hemophilia A in the current era, where non-replacement factors are entering the treatment horizon. It happened at a scientific symposium at the XXVI International Congress of the CLAHT Group (Grupo Cooperativo Latinoamericano de Hemostasia y Trombosis), which took place in San José, Costa Rica in October; a biennial event aiming to improve awareness of the treatment of Hemophilia and other bleeding disorders in the Latin American healthcare community by promoting scientific research and medical updates.

Over the past 50 years or so, persons with Hemophilia and providers have witnessed great advances in the treatment of this disease. More recently, novel therapeutic approaches and treatment modalities have continued to push the progress of Hemophilia care to new frontiers. Even with these remarkable progresses, however, new and old challenges continue to plague the Hemophilia community: access to diagnosis, access to therapy, and the burden of infusions - especially in patients on prophylaxis due to severe Hemophilia - remains a significant challenge.

"As noted, national patient registries available today list only an incredibly small amount of patients with Hemophilia in Latin America," stated Kedrion Biopharma's Sr. Medical Affairs, Hematology Lead, Prasad Mathew, MD, moderator of the symposium. "This means that access to diagnosis, and therefore access to care, is still lacking in many countries of this Region. The symposium was key in sending the message on the current status and future perspectives of replacement therapy, and especially of plasma-derived Factor VIII, which we see as a possible solution to these challenges."

"Despite new therapies for Hemophilia coming in, replacement factors still have a role," explained Carlos Ramírez, MD, Hematologist at Clínica Colsanitas in Bogotá, Colombia, and speaker at the above mentioned symposium. "On one side, we have been using them for more than 50 years, and even today they are irreplaceable for certain categories of patients. On the other, it is ethically very important to be able to provide every person with the same healthcare options, and every patient with adequate treatment, and I'm not sure we are ready for all this innovation, which has costs not every country is able to bear, at least not for everyone."

"It will definitely take time, but I think that, if these new therapies are shown to be effective, they will also be used in developing countries," the other speaker Miguel Escobar, MD, a Hematologist that treats Hemophilia patients in the USA, responded. "However, Factor VIII is still the mainstay of treatment for patients with Hemophilia, even in the US, and will continue to be so at least for the treatment of acute bleeds or for ITI (Immune Tolerance Induction), for which there are no alternatives to replacement factors."

"We see a path forward for patients with Hemophilia," remarked Prasad Mathew in his conclusions. "A number of studies, as well as decades of clinical practice, have shown the efficacy of Factor VIII prophylaxis in reducing joint damage by preventing bleeding episodes. Why not go for the most cost-effective therapeutic solution and ensure that every patient gets access to early diagnosis and initiation of prophylaxis at as young age as possible?"

Kedrion Biopharma is an Italian company, leader in the production of plasma-derived medicines, with a global reach and a long history in Central and South America, and a direct presence through subsidiaries in México, Colombia and Brazil since 2008. We plan to extend our reach in Latin America and do more in support of clinicians and patient associations ? mainly with awareness campaigns and educational events such as this symposium ? working together to improve the quality of life of people affected by Hemophilia and other bleeding disorders.

More information on Kedrion Biopharma at kedrion.com.