Protease inhibitors in the treatment of hereditary angioedema

Transfus Apher Sci. 2003 Dec;29(3):259-67. doi: 10.1016/j.transci.2003.08.004.

Abstract

Deficiency of C1 Inhibitor leads to unopposed activation of complement, with localized, unpredictable, and sometimes life-threatening attacks of angioedema. Treatment with plasma-derived C1 Inhibitor rapidly aborts attacks, and may be lifesaving, but is expensive, requires use of a pooled blood product, may need to be repeated and may not be effective in autoantibody mediated angioedema. The antifibrinolytic agents aprotinin, tranexamic acid, and epsilon-aminocaproic acid are useful for prophylaxis and treatment of angioedema, likely by inhibiting plasmin. Specific drugs to replace the deficient C1 Inh have not been reported. The kallikrein inhibitor DX-88 (Dyax) has received orphan drug status in Europe and is undergoing clinical trial in Europe and the USA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aminocaproic Acid / therapeutic use
  • Angioedema / drug therapy*
  • Angioedema / genetics*
  • Antifibrinolytic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Aprotinin / therapeutic use
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Complement C1 Inactivator Proteins / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Protease Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Tranexamic Acid / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antifibrinolytic Agents
  • Complement C1 Inactivator Proteins
  • Protease Inhibitors
  • Tranexamic Acid
  • Aprotinin
  • Aminocaproic Acid