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Factor replacement–treatment you can rely on

admin September 23, 2018

I travel to many countries where factor is not available to patients with hemophilia and it’s heartbreaking to see the damage bleeding can do. We are fortunate in this country to have factor replacement therapy. Read below for a quick summary of its benefits, and why it’s so important for patients.

This is a paid public announcement from Shire and does not constitute an endorsement of products or services. When you click on the links in this blog entry, you will be directed to the Shire website. LA Kelley Communications always advises you to be a savvy consumer when contacting any company; do not reveal identifying information against your will.

When it comes to living with your hemophilia, having confidence in your treatment is important. For more than 50 years, factor replacement has been the standard of care in the treatment of hemophilia A and B with proven efficacy in preventing bleeds through prophylaxis and low risk of thrombotic events.^1-4

Factor-based therapy replaces what’s missing in the coagulation cascade for people with hemophilia, thus working within the body’s natural hemostatic process.^3,5

Factor replacement represents a comprehensive approach to treating hemophilia. It can be used in multiple scenarios to meet different treatment needs that vary from person to person such as prophylaxis (routine infusion of factor to prevent bleeds), on-demand use (infusion of factor to control bleeding episodes), and during or after surgery.^3,6

A one-size-fits-all treatment approach does not meet the unique needs of each individual.⁷Your healthcare provider can individualize your regimen by adjusting your infusion dose and frequency (how often factor is infused) based on:

How your body uses factor
Your activity level
Your lifestyle needs

Individualizing your prophylactic treatment can help reduce bleed rates in some patients with hemophilia A.⁸

Reducing bleeds is necessary to preserve your joints. Even a single bleed matters, and there is evidence that the number of joint bleeds a patient experiences can lead to the development of joint disease.⁹Remember, if bleeds are not treated immediately, this can result in permanent joint damage.²

Decades of clinical studies and real-world use have shown that early prophylaxis with factor-based treatment can reduce the risk of joint bleeds and preserve joint health in some patients with hemophilia A.^2,10-15

To effectively manage your hemophilia, be sure to ask your healthcare provider about an established treatment that offers options for individualization. With decades of documented success in managing, controlling, and reducing bleeds in more than 170 clinical studies, factor treatment remains a trusted and well-studied treatment option in patients with hemophilia.^{1, 15, 16}

Commitment to the hemophilia community is always a priority to Shire. As a leader in hemophilia research, Shire continues to innovate on your behalf, developing programs and services that support your efforts each step of the way. Shire is focused on providing advanced hematology treatments for today and innovating for the future. ¹⁷

Talk to your healthcare provider to learn more about how factor works and all the ways it can help patients like you with hemophilia. Visit www.bleedingdisorders.com to discover if factor treatment is right for you.

References

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. User fee billable biologic products and potencies approved under Section 351 of the PHS Act. http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/CentersOffices/OfficeofMedicalProductsandTobacco/CBER/ucm122936.htm. Accessed July 17, 2018.
Price VE, Hawes SA, Chan AKC. A practical approach to hemophilia care in children. Paediatri Child Health. 2007;12(5):381-383.
Peyvandi F, Garagiola I, Young G. The past and future of haemophilia: diagnosis, treatments, and its complications. Lancet. 2016;388:187-197.
Coppola A, Franchini M, Makris M, Santagostino E, Di Minno G, Mannucci PM. Thrombotic adverse events to coagulation factor concentrates for treatment of patients with haemophilia and von Willebrand disease: a systematic review of prospective studies. 2012;18:e173-e187.
Berg JM, Tymoczko JL, Stryer L. Many enzymes are activated by specific proteolytic cleavage. In: Biochemistry. 5th ed. New York, NY: WH Freeman; 2002. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK22589/?rendertype. Accessed July 24, 2018.
World Federation of Hemophilia. Guidelines for the management of hemophilia. 2nd ed. Montreal, Quebec: World Federation of Hemophilia; 2012:1-80.
Valentino LA. Considerations in individualizing prophylaxis in patients with haemophilia A. Haemophilia. 2014;20:607-615.
Yamasaki N, Fujii T, Fujii T. Individualized prophylaxis can contribute to decreasing annualized bleeding rate (ABR) in adult persons with hemophilia A. 2018;24(suppl 5):1-194.
Collins PW, Blanchette VS, Fischer K, et al. Break-through bleeding in relation to predicted factor VIII levels in patients receiving prophylactic treatment for severe hemophilia A. J Thromb Haemost. 2009;7:413-420.
Bertamino M, Riccardi F, Banov L, et al. Hemophilia care in the pediatric age. J Clin Med. 2017;6(54):1-13.
Manco-Johnson MJ, Abshire TC, Shapiro AD, et al. Prophylaxis versus episodic treatment to prevent joint disease in boys with severe hemophilia. N Engl J Med. 2007;357(6):535-544.
Manco-Johnson MJ, Soucie JM, Gill JC for the Joint Outcomes Committee of the Universal Data Collection, US Hemophilia Treatment Center Network. Prophylaxis usage, bleeding rates,and joint outcomes of hemophilia, 1999 to 2010: a surveillance project. 2017;129(17):2368-2374.
Khawaji M, Astermark J, Von Mackensen S, Akesson K, Berntorp E. Bone density and heath-reated quality of life in adut patients with severe hemophilia. Haemophilia. 2011;17:304-311.
Rodriguez-Merchan EC. Aspects of current management: orthopaedic surgery in haemophilia. 2012;18:8-16.
Franchini M, Mannucci PM. The history of hemophilia. Semin Thromb Hemost. 2014;40:571-
NIH Clinical Trials Registry. Ongoing and complete clinical trials using factor in patients with hemophilia. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results/details?term=Factor+VIII&recr=Closed&fund=2. Accessed July 17, 2018.
Shire website. https://www.shire.com/who-we-are/areas-of-focus/hematology

©2018 Shire US Inc., Lexington, MA 02421.
All rights reserved. 1 ‐ 800 ‐ 828 ‐ 2088.
SHIRE and the Shire Logo are registered trademarks of Shire Pharmaceutical Holdings Ireland Limited or its affiliates. S41613 08/18

Shire’s pursuit of a zero-bleed future

admin August 12, 2018

The following is sponsored by Shire. Change is good, unless it affects your treatment. Here, we bring you interesting facts about Shire’s products…and reputation as an industry leader. While companies can undergo name changes in our community’s long history, the products remain the same, as does Shire’s commitment to patients.

Laurie

This is a paid public announcement from Shire and does not constitute an endorsement of products or services. When you click on the links in this blog entry, you will be directed to the ADVATE ^® [Antihemophilic Factor (Recombinant)] website. LA Kelley Communications always advises you to be a savvy consumer when contacting any company; do not reveal identifying information against your will.

For over 7 decades, the rare bleeding disorders teams that are now part of Shire have worked toward transforming ideas into products that have the potential to change the lives of patients by reducing bleeds.^1,2

ADVATE ^® [Antihemophilic Factor (Recombinant)] was one of those ideas, and in 2003, it was introduces as the first recombinant factor VIII free of blood-based additives. ADVATE is not used to treat von Willebrand disease; do not use ADVATE if you are allergic to mice or hamsters or to any ingredients in ADVATE.^3-5

In 2011, ADVATE was approved for routine prophylaxis in adults and children with hemophilia A.³ Did you know that in a clinical study ADVATE reduced bleeds by 98% when patients switched from on-demand to prophylaxis?^3,6

What is Prophylaxis in Hemophilia A?

Prophylaxis refers to regular infusion of clotting factor concentrates to help prevent bleeds from occurring.⁷ In the case of hemophilia A, one option is taking ADVATE prophylaxis to try and help prevent a bleed from occurring.³

In a clinical study:

There was a 98% reduction in bleeds (median annual bleed rate [ABR] from 44 to 1^1 ^†) when patients switched from on-demand to prophylaxis^3,6
Patients experiences a 97% reduction in joint bleeds (from 38.7 to 1 median joint ABR) after switching from on-demand to prophylaxis³
- 42% of patients experiences zero bleeds during 1 year of prophylaxis with ADVATE (22 out of 53 patients in the per-protocol* group)³

The clinical study mentioned above was a multicenter, open-label, prospective, randomized, 2-arm, controlled postmarketing clinical study of the relative efficacy of ADVATE use in 2 prophylactic treatment regimens compared to that of on-demand treatment; 53 previously treated patients (PTPs) with severe to moderately severe hemophilia A (FVIII level <2 IU/dL) were analyzed in the per-protocol group. Subjects were initially treated for 6 months of on-demand therapy and then randomized to 12 months of either a standard prophylaxis regimen (20-40 IU/kg every 48 hours) or a pharmacokinetic-driven prophylaxis regimen (20-80 IU/kg every 72 hours). ABRs for the two prophylaxis regimens were comparable.^3,6

You should also know important safety information about ADVATE, such as symptoms of an allergic reaction to ADVATE, that your body may form inhibitors to factor VIII that may stop ADVATE from working properly, and the most common side effects.³ See additional safety information below this video and talk to your doctor to see if ADVATE may be right for you.

Want to learn more about how we do it? We went to one of our manufacturing facilities to show you just how much detail goes into each little vial.

Watch it here.

ADVATE [Antihemophilic Factor (Recombinant)] Important Information

What is ADVATE?

ADVATE is a medicine used to replace clotting factor (factor VIII or antihemophilic factor) that is missing in people with hemophilia A (also called “classic” hemophilia).
ADVATE is used to prevent and control bleeding in adults and children (0-16 years) with hemophilia A. Your healthcare provider (HCP) may give you ADVATE when you have surgery.
ADVATE can reduce the number of bleeding episodes in adults and children (0-16 years) when used regularly (prophylaxis).

ADVATE is not used to treat von Willebrand disease.

DETAILED IMPORTANT RISK INFORMATION

Who should not use ADVATE?
Do not use ADVATE if you:

Are allergic to mice or hamsters.
Are allergic to any ingredients in ADVATE.

Tell your HCP if you are pregnant or breastfeeding because ADVATE may not be right for you.

What should I tell my HCP before using ADVATE?
Tell your HCP if you:

Have or have had any medical problems.
Take any medicines, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, such as over-the-counter medicines, supplements or herbal remedies.
Have any allergies, including allergies to mice or hamsters.
Are breastfeeding. It is not known if ADVATE passes into your milk and if it can harm your baby.
Are or become pregnant. It is not known if ADVATE may harm your unborn baby.
Have been told that you have inhibitors to factor VIII (because ADVATE may not work for you).

What important information do I need to know about ADVATE?

You can have an allergic reaction to ADVATE. Call your HCP right away and stop treatment if you get a rash or hives, itching, tightness of the throat, chest pain or tightness, difficulty breathing, lightheadedness, dizziness, nausea or fainting.
Do not attempt to infuse yourself with ADVATE unless you have been taught by your HCP or hemophilia center.

What else should I know about ADVATE and Hemophilia A?

Your body may form inhibitors to factor VIII. An inhibitor is part of the body’s normal defense system. If you form inhibitors, it may stop ADVATE from working properly. Talk with your HCP to make sure you are carefully monitored with blood tests for the development of inhibitors to factor VIII.

What are possible side effects of ADVATE?

Side effects that have been reported with ADVATE include: cough, headache, joint swelling/aching, sore throat, fever, itching, unusual taste, dizziness, hematoma, abdominal pain, hot flashes, swelling of legs, diarrhea, chills, runny nose/congestion, nausea/vomiting, sweating, and rash. Tell your HCP about any side effects that bother you or do not go away or if your bleeding does not stop after taking ADVATE.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

For additional safety information, click here for Prescribing Information and discuss with your HCP.

*Per-Protocol: subjects who had >90% of the predicted number of infusions and no major protocol deviations.⁶

†44 bleeds (IQR, 20.8), 1 bleed (IQR, 4.1); IQR=Interquartile range, the range of values of the variable in a statistical distribution that lies between the upper and lower quartiles.⁸

References:

Our Story. Our History. https://www.baxter.com/our-story/our-history. Accessed June 25, 2018.
About Shire. Our story. https://www.shire.com/who-we-are/our-story. Accessed May 1, 2018.
ADVATE Prescribing Information.
Négrier C, Shapiro A, Berntorp E, et al. Surgical evaluation of a recombinant factor VIII prepared using a plasma/albumin-free method: efficacy and safety of Advate in previously treated patients. Thromb Haemost. 2008;100(2):217-223.
Grillberger L, Kreil TR, Nasr S, Reiter M. Emerging trends in plasma-free manufacturing of recombinant protein therapeutics expressed in mammalian cells. Biotechnol J. 2009;4(2):186-201.
Valentino LA, Mamonov V, Hellmann A, et al. A randomized comparison of two prophylaxis regimens and a paired comparison of on-demand and prophylaxis treatments in hemophilia A management. J Thromb Haemost. 2012;10:359-367.
What is Prophylaxis? https://www.wfh.org/en/abd/prophylaxis/what-is-prophylaxis. Accessed June 4, 2018.
Interquartile Range definition. MedlinePlus.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interquartile%20range. Accessed May 10, 2018.

© 2018 Shire US Inc., Lexington, MA 02421. All rights reserved. 1-800-828-2088.
SHIRE and the Shire Logo are registered trademarks of Shire Pharmaceutical Holdings Ireland Limited or its affiliates.
ADVATE is a trademark or registered trademark of Baxalta Incorporated, a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Shire plc.
S39238 07/18

A “Bloody Good” Fundraiser

admin July 29, 2018

The Cast of Clue Live! with Ron and Robbin

I travel a lot, and so often miss the events that happen in hemophilia close to home. So I was thrilled to know I could attend the New England Hemophilia Association (NEHA)’s fundraising event this past weekend. And it wasn’t a golf tournament (never touched a club in my life) or a cooking class (disaster! Cooking, me?). It was murder.

Murder? Yes! A real-life game of Clue, based on the board game and movie. The movie is hysterical (thanks to actor Tim Curry) as our evening would prove to be!

Mr. Green and Miss Scarlett, who I am sure are innocent

Doug and I drove to a stunning mansion, just south of Boston, that on a cold dark night could really double as a creepy old haunted house. The massive entrance was crowned not with a statue of an angel, saint or cross, but of a devilish-looking, stone ram’s head, with blank, staring eyes. Inside, a wide-angle view of a spiraling, carpeted staircase, chandeliers, portraits of deceased notables, mounted hunting trophies… and the friendly NEHA staff ready to register us.

There was wine, beer, plenty of great company in seeing the families I’ve known for ages, and meeting some new ones. After a social hour, we had a delicious buffet as members of the cast started to appear, in character, sporting British accents. Professor Plum, Miss Scarlett, Mr. Green, Mrs. Peacock, my favorite—Colonel Mustard, Mrs. White, and the Detective from Scotland Yard. But let’s not forget Mr. Boddy, who unfortunately could not make dinner… because he was dead!

Who did it? That was our task. We had to search the mansion for clues to the murderer, and find the murder weapon: a pistol, lead pipe, candlestick, rope, wrench, or knife. It was fun to be with the cast while we prowled about looking under tables, behind curtains and up fireplaces! Everyone got into the act.

This was a fun fundraiser, but it’s also serious business. There are deep concerns in our community about sourcing funds to keep the nonprofits going. Budgets are tighter as companies wait on new drug developments to see how market share will be affected. At HFA in April, all the talk was about how funding was getting harder to secure. And I just noticed this week that NHF’s agenda for the October meeting has a lot of sessions on fundraising.

Jill with Colonel Mustard: did he do it?

Well, Rich Pezzillo, executive director and person with hemophilia, and team did it right this time. They raised about $10,000 in one evening, all the while giving everyone a great time, a silent auction, and an arrest!

And something new: a couple at my table was unfamiliar to me so I asked if they had a child with hemophilia. No, they knew nothing about hemophilia. They saw a brochure for the event at their local bank, wanted a fun night out, and decided to attend. They were amazed at how much they learned about hemophilia. And they left with new friends and a silent auction item! (But those Red Sox tickets were mine)
So fun + prizes + game (+ murder) + out-of-the-box-thinking + inviting strangers = outstanding event and fundraiser.

Rich Pezzillo, talented ED and fundraiser!

Congratulations to Rich and his team for a great event. So what if it was a murder? It was a bloody good fundraiser and a bloody good time.

Click to see all the Gallery photos of the event!

To learn more about Clue Live!

Introducing the new faces of Just B from IXINITY®

admin July 22, 2018

Who better to represent what it means to “Just B” with hemophilia than the people who are defining it in their daily lives? That’s why today, I’m excited to be one of the first to feature some of the new faces from our community who are joining the promotional campaign from Aptevo, makers of the factor IX treatment, IXINITY® [coagulation factor IX (recombinant)].

Keep reading to see if you can spot anyone you recognize, plus watch these community members share their inspiring stories at IXINITY.com.

This is a paid public announcement from Aptevo and does not constitute an endorsement of products or services. When you click on the links in this blog entry, you will be directed to the IXINITY website. LA Kelley Communications always advises you to be a savvy consumer when contacting any company; do not reveal identifying information against your will.

Just B: Because Life Is Bigger Than Hemophilia B

Our current promotional campaign is inspired by everyone redefining what it means to have hemophilia B by living life on your own terms and Just B-ing yourself.

And now, we couldn’t be more proud to introduce the next generation of community advocates sharing how they can Just B with IXINITY.

Watch these new patient stories and others at IXINITY.com, plus keep an eye out for even more fresh faces to be featured over the next few months.

You can also find out what it means to Just B by joining the IXINITY Family Room on Facebook.

Just Being Joe

Joe spent years struggling to find the bleed control he was searching for, until he heard about a clinical trial for a new recombinant product—which was eventually approved as IXINITY. Now he says, “Since switching to IXINITY, I have not yet had a breakthrough bleed. Overall, it really comes down to coverage for me. Coverage means that I have one less thing to worry as much about, that I can make plans, try different things, and know that I can rely on IXINITY when I need it.”

In a clinical trial, 71% of bleeding episodes were resolved with 1 infusion and 13% were resolved with 2 infusions. Individual response may vary.¹

This information is based on Joe’s experience. Different patients may have different results. Talk to your doctor about whether IXINITY may be right for you.

See Joe share more of his story.

Just Being Nathan

With a history of breakthrough bleeds, Nathan felt like he couldn’t live the life he wanted while managing his hemophilia B. After doing his research and talking to his doctor about IXINITY, he says, “Since switching, I’m more willing to just jump in and go because I’m confident that I’m covered with IXINITY. I’m even more open about having hemophilia because I’m not feeling held back by it.”

In a clinical trial, 71% of bleeding episodes were resolved with 1 infusion and 13% were resolved with 2 infusions. Individual response may vary.¹

This information is based on Nathan’s experience. Different patients may have different results. Talk to your doctor about whether IXINITY® may be right for you.

See Nathan share more of his story.

IXINITY INDICATIONS AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATIONWhat is IXINITY®?
IXINITY [coagulation factor IX (recombinant)] is a medicine used to replace clotting factor (factor IX) that is missing in adults and children at least 12 years of age with hemophilia B. Hemophilia B is also called congenital factor IX deficiency or Christmas disease. Hemophilia B is an inherited bleeding disorder that prevents clotting. Your healthcare provider may give you IXINITY to control and prevent bleeding episodes or when you have surgery.IXINITY is not indicated for induction of immune tolerance in patients with hemophilia B.IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION for IXINITY®

You should not use IXINITY if you are allergic to hamsters or any ingredients in IXINITY.
You should tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had medical problems, take any medicines, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, such as over-the-counter medicines, supplements, or herbal remedies, have any allergies, including allergies to hamsters, are nursing, are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or have been told that you have inhibitors to factor IX.
You can experience an allergic reaction to IXINITY. Contact your healthcare provider or get emergency treatment right away if you develop a rash or hives, itching, tightness of the throat, chest pain, or tightness, difficulty breathing, lightheadedness, dizziness, nausea, or fainting.
Your body may form inhibitors to IXINITY. An inhibitor is part of the body’s defense system. If you develop inhibitors, it may prevent IXINITY from working properly. Consult with your healthcare provider to make sure you are carefully monitored with blood tests for development of inhibitors to IXINITY.
If you have risk factors for developing blood clots, the use of IXINITY may increase the risk of abnormal blood clots.
Call your healthcare provider right away about any side effects that bother you or do not go away, or if your bleeding does not stop after taking IXINITY.
The most common side effect that was reported with IXINITY during clinical trials was headache.
These are not all the side effects possible with IXINITY. You can ask your healthcare provider for information that is written for healthcare professionals.

For more information about IXINITY, please see full Prescribing Information, including Important Patient Information.

You are encouraged to report side effects of prescription drugs to the Food and Drug Administration. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Reference: 1. IXINITY [coagulation factor IX (recombinant)] prescribing information. Berwyn, PA: Aptevo BioTherapeutics LLC; April 2018.

Aptevo BioTherapeutics LLC, Berwyn, PA 19312IXINITY [coagulation factor IX (recombinant)] and any and all Aptevo BioTherapeutics LLC brand, product, service and feature names, logos, and slogans are trademarks or registered trademarks of Aptevo BioTherapeutics LLC in the United States and/or other countries.

100 Years Ago: Prince with Hemophilia Dies

admin July 15, 2018

This week is a very special: it’s the 100th anniversary of the death of the last Russian royal family, the end of the Romanovs. Special because not only did it lead to a massive change in world history, but it was also the death of the little prince with hemophilia, Alexis.

Hemophilia appears to have played a vital role in the story of the Bolshevik takeover of Russia, and subsequent spread of Communism. In Nicolas and Alexandra by Robert K. Massie* Tsar Nicholas II, though not a very clever leader to begin with, is so distracted by his son’s suffering that he unwisely allows the “mad monk” and faith healer Rasputin to gain access to the inner circles of the royal family, while at the same time ignoring and not heeding the needs of his people for food and better quality of life. Rasputin is able to influence the course of events as Russia is battling the first World War, and yet also appears to have a calming effect on Alexis during his terrible bleeds.

There are no spoilers: everyone knows how this story ends. The entire family—Nicolas, wife Alexandra, daughters Olga, Tatiana, Anastasia and Maria, and son Alexis—was cloistered in Ekaterinburg under house arrest while the Bolsheviks take over. Although they are promised safe passage to England, where Nicholas’s cousin and doppleganger George V is on the throne, the family was instead slaughtered in the early morning hours of July 17, 1918. It was a horrific scene; the princesses did not die at once as they had about 18 pounds of royal jewels sewn into their clothing, to take to England with them.

Their bodies were eventually tossed down a mine shaft, which was not discovered until 1979, and even then not revealed until 1989, when the Russian archives were officially opened.

On August 15, 2000, the Russian Orthodox Church announced the canonization of the royal family. Alexis, the prince with hemophilia, would now be known as Saint Alexis.

And DNA tests would later reveal that the royal family, all the way back Queen Victoria, Alexis’s great-grandmother, had factor IX deficiency.

You can read more about this fascinating story hat changed word history by reading Nicolas and Alexandra, or one of many other books and on-line resources. I am happy to say that we are currently revising our children’s storybook called Alexis: The Prince Who Had Hemophilia, with new illustrations, done by a Romanian with hemophilia!

If you have hemophilia, this is a story you must know.

*The author is father of Bob Massie, currently running for governor of Massachusetts, who was born with hemophilia!