Summary
Three hemophiliacs with high titre inhibitor were treated with a medium-high FVIII
dose schedule (100 IU/kg bw daily) with the aim of inducing the immunotolerance. These
patients were followed-up extensively concerning their immunological status and HIV
serology. In all of them the inhibitor disappeared and normal FVIII kinetics were
obtained after 22, 15 and 29 months. After eradication of the inhibitor, no recurrence
took place in any of the patients. All the patients were HIV Ab positive before the
beginning of the treatment. In one of them CD4+ cells fell progessively 32 months
after the treatment was started, a fullblown AIDS showed up, and the patient died
5½ years after the beginning of the treatment. In the second and third patient the
CD4+ cells varied widely but remained >400/μl during the whole immunotolerance treatment.
The latter two patients are AIDS and ARC free so far, but patient No. 2 developed
a mild-to-severe thrombocytopenia.
Considering the high cost of the treatment and the possibility that such an intensive
administration of FVIII concentrates might worsen the immunological status of patients,
this therapeutic procedure should only be applied with caution.
Keywords
FVIII inhibitors - High responders - HIV-infection - AIDS - Immunotolerance