Factor IX assay discrepancies in the setting of liver gene therapy using a hyperfunctional variant factor IX-Padua

J Thromb Haemost. 2021 May;19(5):1212-1218. doi: 10.1111/jth.15281. Epub 2021 Mar 28.

Abstract

Background: Limited information exists regarding the factor IX (FIX) coagulant activity (FIX:C) measured by different assays following FIX-Padua gene therapy.

Objective: Assess for the first time FIX:C in five commonly used coagulation assays in plasma samples from hemophilia B subjects receiving FIX-Padua gene transfer.

Methods: FIX:C was compared between central (n = 1) and local laboratories (n = 5) in the study, and across four commonly used FIX:C one-stage assays and one FIX:C chromogenic assay. For comparison, samples of pooled congenital FIX-deficient plasma spiked with purified recombinant human FIX (rHFIX)-Padua protein or rHFIX (nonacog alfa) to obtain FIX:C concentrations from ~20% to ~40% were tested.

Results: FIX:C results at local laboratories strongly correlated with central laboratory results. However, absolute values at the central laboratory were consistently lower than those at local laboratories. Across five different FIX:C assays, a consistent pattern of FIX:C was observed for subjects receiving fidanacogene elaparvovec-expressed gene transfer. Use of Actin FSL activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) reagent in the central laboratory resulted in lower FIX:C values compared with other APTT reagents tested. The chromogenic assay determined lower FIX:C than any of the one-stage assays. The rHFIX-Padua protein-spiked samples showed similar results. In contrast, FIX:C results for rHFIX-nonacog alfa measured within 25% of expected for all one-stage assays and below 25% in the chromogenic assay.

Conclusions: Assay-based differences in FIX:C were observed for fidanacogene elaparvovec transgene product and rHFIX-Padua protein, suggesting the variable FIX:C determined with different assay reagents is inherent to the FIX-Padua protein and is not specific to gene therapy-derived FIX-Padua.

Keywords: biological assay; blood coagulation tests; fidanacogene elaparvovec; genetic therapy; hemophilia B.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blood Coagulation Tests
  • Factor IX* / genetics
  • Genetic Therapy
  • Hemophilia B* / diagnosis
  • Hemophilia B* / genetics
  • Hemophilia B* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Liver

Substances

  • factor IX-Padua
  • Factor IX