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Semin Thromb Hemost
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1779737
Review Article

Innovative Therapies for Acquired Hemophilia A

Massimo Franchini
1   Department of Transfusion Medicine and Hematology, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantua, Italy
,
Daniele Focosi
2   North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
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Abstract

Acquired hemophilia A (AHA) is a rare autoimmune bleeding disorder which can be life-threatening. AHA is due to autoantibodies against coagulation factor VIII. Disease onset may be idiopathic (approximately half of the cases) or triggered by autoimmune disorders, cancers, drugs, infections, or pregnancy. Besides treating the underlying disorder, specific AHA treatments include management of bleeding and inhibitor eradication. Various first-line and second-line hemostatic and immunosuppressive agents are currently available for the management of AHA. Recently, the hemostatic drug emicizumab and the immunosuppressive drug rituximab have been the object of intense research from investigators as innovative promising therapies for AHA. This narrative review will be focused on the current status of the clinical use of these two off-label therapeutic agents in AHA.

Keywords

acquired hemophilia A - bleeding - rituximab - emicizumab


Publication History

Article published online:
23 February 2024

© 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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