Emicizumab use in females with moderate or mild hemophilia A without factor VIII inhibitors who warrant prophylaxis

Res Pract Thromb Haemost. 2023 Oct 21;7(8):102239. doi: 10.1016/j.rpth.2023.102239. eCollection 2023 Nov.

Abstract

Background: Hemophilia A (HA) is predominantly associated with males due to X-linked inheritance. Males and females with HA have shared unmet medical needs, highlighting the necessity for comprehensive care irrespective of sex.

Objectives: This analysis investigated the efficacy and safety of emicizumab prophylaxis in 3 females with HA.

Methods: HAVEN 6 (NCT04158648) is a phase III study of emicizumab in people with non-severe HA without factor (F)VIII inhibitors warranting prophylaxis per investigator assessment, and the study methodology has been reported previously. Female-specific endpoints included menstruation-related quality of life and menstruation heaviness.

Results: HAVEN 6 enrolled 3 females aged ≥18 years and within reproductive age (n = 2 mild HA; n = 1 moderate HA; n = 2 receiving prior FVIII prophylaxis; n = 1 receiving prior episodic FVIII). Participants presented with diverse bleeding phenotypes at baseline: 2 had no bleeds in the 24 weeks prior to enrollment, while 1 had an annualized bleed rate for all bleeds of 208.6. On-study annualized bleed rates for all bleeds were 0, 2.8, and 11.6, respectively. The 2 evaluable participants indicated improved menstruation-related quality of life vs baseline. Two participants experienced 3 grade 1/2 treatment-related adverse events; no new safety signals were identified. All 3 participants preferred emicizumab over their previous treatment and reported a better score for treatment burden and preoccupation domains of the Comprehensive Assessment Tool of Challenges in Hemophilia questionnaire.

Conclusion: Overall, results were consistent with those reported in the male population enrolled in the HAVEN 6 study, suggesting efficacy and a favorable safety profile for emicizumab in females with non-severe HA warranting prophylaxis.

Keywords: emicizumab; female; hemophilia A; prophylaxis.