C1-inhibitor concentrate home therapy for hereditary angioedema: a viable, effective treatment option
H. J. Longhurst,* S. Carr† and K. Khair‡
*Barts and The London NHS Trust, DepartmentEconomic and political factors have led to the increased use of home therapy of Immunopathology, London, UK, †Barts andThe London NHS Trust, Department ofprogrammes for patients who have traditionally been treated in hospital. Paediatric Respiratory Medicine, London, UK,Many patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE) experience intermittent and ‡Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UKsevere attacks that affect their quality of life and may be life-threatening. These attacks are treated with C1-inhibitor concentrate which, for most patients, is infused at the local hospital. Home therapy programmes for HAE
Correspondence: Dr Hilary Longhurst, Barts
are currently being established. This paper reviews the extent of use of these programmes and summarizes the advantages and potential disadvantages of
Immunopathology, 51–53 Bartholomew Close,
the concept so far. Keywords:
angioedema, home therapy, quality of life
Re-use of this article is permitted in accordance
with the Creative Commons Deed, Attribution
OnlineOpen:
Economic and political factors have contributed to the
Introduction
increased use of home therapy programmes for patients who
Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is an autosomal dominant
would have been treated previously in hospital. One group of
condition resulting from partial deficiency of C1 inhibitor
patients who may benefit from home therapy is those with
(C1-INH) [1]. It is a rare disease, thought to affect between
HAE. This paper uses published data (Medline) to assess the
one in 10 000 and one in 50 000 people worldwide [2].
use of C1-INH concentrate home therapy in patients with
Acquired angioedema (AAE), which is also due to C1-INH
HAE, and includes evaluations of both the recommenda-
deficiency, is phenotypically similar to HAE, although it is
tions for patient selection for home therapy and the
associated typically with lymphoproliferative disease, or with
documented benefits of self-administration of C1-INH
Patients with C1-INH deficiency have reduced amounts of
functional C1-INH, which at times of physiological or psy-
chological stress is insufficient to control local inflammatorypathways. The complement and contact systems are acti-
Data have been collected from a Medline search of the
vated, and excess bradykinin is generated [4]. It is this
English language literature to identify papers that included
increased bradykinin production that is believed to be the
information on the use of C1-INH concentrate as home
main factor in the development of local oedema [4]. Oedema
therapy in patients with HAE. The search included the years
may occur at any site, but most commonly affects the sub-
from 1985, the year that pasteurized C1-INH concentrate
cutaneous tissue, causing swelling of the limbs, face, trunk or
replacement therapy was introduced, to August 2006. The
genitalia [1]. Oedema can also affect the mucous membranes
keywords used for the search were ‘C1-inhibitor’, ‘C1-
of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, causing abdominal pain,
inhibitor concentrate’, ‘C1-esterase inhibitor’, ‘C1-esterase
often with diarrhoea and/or vomiting, and the mucous
inhibitor concentrate’, ‘C1-INH’, ‘C1-INH concentrate’,
membranes of the larynx, causing laryngeal oedema, which
‘C1EI’ and ‘C1EI concentrate’, combined with ‘C1-inhibitor
may lead to death by asphyxiation [5–7].
Journal compilation 2006 British Society for Immunology, Clinical and Experimental ImmunologyTable 1. Papers detailing the use of C1 inhibitor (C1-INH) concentrate home therapy in patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE)*.
treatment time associated withless severe and shorter durationof attacks
Reduced frequency of attacksReduced frequency of life-threatening attacksNo adverse events
Limited duration of benefit inpatient with AAE
*Patients suffered from HAE unless otherwise stated. †Reporting on the same cohort.
deficiency’, ‘hereditary angio(o)edema’, ‘HAE’, ‘hereditary
frequency of attacks. In addition, C1-INH had an excellent
angioneurotic (o)edema’ and ‘HANE’. These groups of key-
words were then put together, alone and in combination,with the search terms ‘home’, ‘self-administration’, ‘self-administered’, ‘outpatient’ and ‘home-based’. The articles
Discussion
were retrieved and analysed. Pertinent articles known to theauthors but not appearing in the Medline search results were
Treatment of hereditary angioedema
Frequent or severe HAE attacks are disabling for the patient. Consequently, such attacks are an indication for regular pro-phylaxis, usually with attenuated androgens such as danazol
that increase hepatic production of C1-INH [14,15].
We found six relevant papers: two case series [8,9] with two
However, attenuated androgens may cause unacceptable side
and 43 patients, respectively; two further papers [10,11]
effects such as virilization [16] or hepatic abnormalities [17],
which included information describing patients on home
or may be contraindicated otherwise, for example in women
therapy (although this was not the main focus of the papers);
who wish to become pregnant [18]. Fibrinolytic agents such
and two further case series, which were available in abstract
as tranexamic acid or epsilon aminocaproic acid are alterna-
form only [12,13]. The papers are detailed in Table 1.
tive prophylactic agents, although the evidence base for their
Patients were treated with C1-INH, given either on
use is less certain [19,20]. Despite prophylaxis, many patients
demand at the onset of an attack or as regular prophylaxis.
continue to experience intermittent severe attacks that
C1-INH was self-administered or infused by a family
interrupt their activities of daily living and may be
member at home. The results showed that where prophylac-
life-threatening. These attacks are treated with C1-INH con-
tic C1-INH was given, patients experienced improved
centrate, which in most cases brings about a response within
quality of life (QoL) and reduced severity, duration and
30–90 min [21]. Licensed C1-INH products are available in
Journal compilation 2006 British Society for Immunology, Clinical and Experimental Immunology
Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Hungary, Argentina,
attack per month, repeated hospital admissions result in
Japan (Berinert P®, ZLB Behring, Marburg, Germany) and
severe disruption to everyday life, affecting the ability to
work and carry out domestic duties, impairing patients’ con-
Netherlands). In other European countries, including the
fidence to travel too far from the local hospital and creating
United Kingdom, and in the United States, C1-INH is used
anxiety. For these patients, or for patients living in remote
on a named-patient basis, or is completely unavailable.
areas where access to a hospital may be difficult, home
C1-INH infusion is administered traditionally in hospital,
therapy (self-infusion or infusion by a family member) is
usually in the emergency department. However, this
usually the best option and is likely to result in greatly
approach can lead to delays in administering treatment.
Emergency department staff may be unfamiliar with HAEand patients may not be triaged as urgent. Delays may occur
Patient selection for home therapy in hereditary
in locating C1-INH, which is not a routine stock item for
angioedema
most hospitals. Such delays necessitate higher C1-INH dosesto control the attack, unnecessary hospital admissions and,
The available data suggest that patients included on C1-INH
occasionally, severe adverse incidents, including death
home infusion programmes must fulfil certain criteria
[5,8,22]. Death rates from HAE-related laryngeal oedema of
[8–13]: patients must have proven C1-INH deficiency as
30–40% have been reported. Although the majority of
determined by typical symptoms, low C1-INH protein or
deaths occur in undiagnosed patients, there remains an
function and low C4 complement. Genetic diagnosis is not
avoidable mortality in those who are diagnosed [1,5].
widely available, but may be useful where diagnosis is
Children with C1-INH deficiency are not usually consid-
unclear. Oral prophylaxis must be optimized. Patients must
ered for home therapy in the United Kingdom, as there are
have sufficiently frequent attacks; the recommended fre-
no paediatric home therapy programmes. Fortunately, HAE
quency varies between centres, but is usually a minimum of
is usually mild in preadolescence. However, prophylactic
one attack every 3 months [18]. However, patients with less
options are limited: long-term attenuated androgens present
frequent attacks may also benefit from home therapy and
significant risks, including growth retardation, and are not
should be considered on an individual basis. Patients should
recommended [23,24]. Our literature search revealed that
be motivated to comply with the home therapy programme
one German centre does provide home therapy for children
and be fully informed as to the risks and benefits. C1-INH
severely affected with HAE, suggesting that this option is
should be stored at 2–8°C, although limited data suggest that
feasible for selected cases. Rusicke et al. describe how
lyophilized C1-INH concentrate may be stable at room tem-
on-demand C1-INH therapy is their first-line therapy for
perature (25°C) for up to 6 months [26]. Twenty-four-hour
children, with regular prophylaxis for those who experience
access to help and advice should be available, including the
very frequent attacks [13]. More than 50% of their cohort of
option of emergency hospital treatment [18].
325 patients infuse at home, although the proportion of
Training programmes in the United Kingdom and the
these who are children is not stated. The authors claim that
Netherlands include practical aspects of C1-INH administra-
severe attacks are prevented, and hospital time and absence
tion: hygiene and cannulation techniques, as well as
from school is reduced (although detailed figures are not
indications for C1-INH infusion and management of
emergencies [9,18]. Attacks should be severe enough to
Recently, consensus documents providing recommenda-
warrant C1-INH treatment – usually severe abdominal pain
tions on the management of HAE have been published by
or orofacial oedema – but not so severe as to require
expert panels in Canada and the United Kingdom [18,25].
hospitalization; for example, attacks causing symptoms of
Both the Canadian and UK documents recommend offering
laryngeal obstruction. However, if airway obstruction is
patients the option of home therapy. In spite of a recent
imminent, treatment may be expedited by home administra-
increase in interest in home therapy in those countries where
tion of C1-INH concentrate while awaiting the arrival of
C1-INH is available [9], there is little published literature on
ambulance transport to hospital. Patients should be advised
this topic and a relative lack of information available for
to consult a physician if the symptoms of an attack are atypi-
cal, as the onset of an appendicitis or GI infection maypresent with symptoms similar to abdominal attacks of HAE. The need for home therapy in hereditary angioedema Government directives supporting home therapy
As C1-INH can be difficult to obtain at short notice, practi-tioners are strongly recommended to ensure that patients
In many countries, the relationship between patient and
have a supply of C1-INH to keep in the refrigerator at home
medical professionals is changing. Nurses and paramedics
[5,18,25,26]. For the majority of patients, who have infre-
are taking on tasks that were previously the responsibility of
quent attacks, C1-INH is taken to the local hospital for
doctors, and many patients expect to take an active role in
infusion. For those patients experiencing more than one
their own management. Facilitated by the internet, the
Journal compilation 2006 British Society for Immunology, Clinical and Experimental Immunology
growth of self-help groups such as the UK Primary Immu-
a significant reduction in time to start of symptomatic relief,
nodeficiency Association (PiA) and HAE International
and in time to complete resolution of the attack, compared
(HAEI) has enabled patients to ‘network’ on a far wider scale
with the five ‘historical control’ attacks immediately prior to
than previously. Patients are increasingly aware of initiatives
entry into the self-administration programme. Historical
that can improve their QoL and, as a result, many patients
control attacks did not respond significantly differently to
are requesting the option of home therapy. Initiatives such as
C1-INH concentrate compared with attacks in control
the UK NHS Plan and ‘Expert Patient’ programmes seek to
patients who did not self-administer. The authors attributed
give patients the knowledge and confidence to take a more
the reduction in time to onset of relief and attack duration to
active role in their own management [27,28].
the reduced attack-to-treatment time associated with self-administration. These observations are in accordance withBork’s observational study, which reported that abdominal
Established home therapy programmes
attacks treated with C1-INH concentrate within 2 h of onset
Intravenous home therapy programmes exist for a variety of
showed significant reduction in time to onset of relief com-
conditions, including intravenous immunoglobulins for
pared with attacks where treatment was delayed [11]. This
antibody deficiency [29,30] and intravenous antibiotics for
study did not report separate outcomes on the subgroup of
patients with a variety of underlying conditions [31–36].
25 patients who self-infused. However, Rusicke et al. [13]
These programmes have helped establish the feasibility and
commented on the reduced attack-to-treatment time asso-
cost-effectiveness of home therapy. However, perhaps the
ciated with home therapy. Reduced attack frequency was also
closest parallel with C1-INH home therapy programmes is
reported by Bork et al. [11], Kreuz et al. [12] and Rusicke
haemophilia home therapy. Like C1-INH, clotting factors for
et al. [13] in patients who infused prophylactically.
haemophilia can be used prophylactically or as an emergency
Reports from other home therapy programmes also
indicate major benefits. Immunoglobulin home therapy is
Home therapy has been available in haemophilia since the
associated with greater patient independence, convenience,
1980s and is now considered ‘routine’. Most paediatric
comfort and economic benefit [39,40]. A recent study
patients are receiving home therapy by 18 months of age, as
showed that home therapy significantly improved health,
it is impractical for them to attend hospital several times a
school/social functioning (in children) and significantly
week for treatment or preventative therapy [37]. For children
reduced emotional distress and limitations on personal time
at high risk of bleeding, regular prophylaxis with clotting
[40]. In a similar study, home therapy with immunoglobulin
factors can be given; for others, prompt treatment of any
significantly improved QoL [41]. Patients in both surveys
bleeds or prophylaxis of high-risk events is preferable.
preferred home- to hospital-based therapy [40,41]. For
Current UK guidelines [38] suggest regular prophylaxis for
patients with haemophilia, home therapy is associated with
those who have declared themselves phenotypically severe
reduced pain and disability, improved QoL and reduced hos-
(by virtue of two of more haemarthroses) and, for the others,
pitalization and time off work or school [38]. The availability
access to coagulation factors for administration at home, a
of home therapy has also been associated with improved life
local hospital or a haemophilia centre.
expectancy [42]. Two of the case series in our analysis men-tioned improved QoL for HAE patients with access to hometherapy, although formal studies are lacking [12,13]. Benefits of home therapy
A major issue for patients with HAE is the delay and
The results of our Medline search included a recent paper by
difficulty in accessing emergency care. Better awareness of
Levi et al., who reported the experiences of 31 patients with
HAE among medical staff and better liaison with emergency
C1-INH deficiency who were trained to self-administer
departments is important, but can be difficult when medical
C1-INH [9]. Patients, who all suffered from frequent, severe
staff change frequently, as is the case in most emergency
angioedema attacks, self-administered 1000 units of C1-INH
departments. Patient education is important to ensure
concentrate shortly after the onset of severe abdominal, oro-
prompt attendance at hospital at an early stage of the attack.
facial or laryngeal attacks. Twelve patients, who had very
However, travelling time is likely to be a limiting factor. For
frequent attacks (> 1 every 10 days) were treated additionally
those patients with rapid-onset attacks, or who live far from
with prophylactic C1-INH concentrate every 5–7 days. Mean
the hospital, the resulting delay may pose a significant risk.
follow-up was 3·5 years (range 0·9–5·1). All patients were
Access to emergency treatment can often be expedited only
trained successfully, and reported very low levels of technical
failure with venepuncture (< 2%). There were no adverseevents of sufficient severity to require medical assistance. Home therapy for acquired angioedema
Self-administration of regular prophylactic C1-INH
concentrate resulted in a significant reduction in attack
Interestingly, the Levi study group included three patients
frequency, with seven of 12 patients reporting complete
with AAE, whose benefit did not differ significantly from
freedom from attacks. Patients self-treating attacks reported
those with HAE. C1-INH concentrate appears effective in
Journal compilation 2006 British Society for Immunology, Clinical and Experimental Immunology
the management of acute attacks of AAE, even when
reactions. C1-INH is extremely well tolerated [1,50,51], and
C1-INH antibodies are present, although some patients may
our analysis did not reveal any treatment-related adverse
require higher doses or become resistant to treatment [1,3].
events [8–13]. However, because it is a plasma product,
Bork and Witzke reported a patient with frequent AAE
C1-INH raises particular concerns for patients and physi-
attacks who was treated with C1-INH 1000 units every
cians regarding virus transmission, particularly viral hepati-
5 days [8]. Treatment was initially successful, but after
tis and HIV [52]. It is a regulatory requirement in Europe
10 months the patient became progressively resistant
[53] for plasma donors to undergo a comprehensive health
(Table 1). Despite reservations about its durability, C1-INH
screen. Each donation is then screened using serological
home therapy remains an option for patients with AAE.
methods for the presence of HIV, hepatitis B (HBV) andhepatitis C (HCV). All plasma-derived medicinal products
Funding and resources
such as C1-INH concentrate are also recommended toundergo additional testing for HCV using the polymerase
C1-INH is currently considered an expensive treatment
option (approximately £290/€425 for 500 units). Home
The most widely available C1-INH concentrates undergo
therapy has the potential to increase overall use of C1-INH
several additional voluntary safety checks, including the
by treating attacks that would previously have gone
testing of individual pools via PCR for HIV-1, hepatitis A,
untreated, although published data do not suggest that this is
HBV and parvovirus B19 [54,55], in addition to HCV.
the case when compared with optimum hospital-based
The plasma then enters the manufacturing process, where it
undergoes further virus inactivation and removal steps.
However, untreated attacks are costly in social, pharmaco-
economic and QoL terms. HAE is a lifelong condition, which
chromatography, in accordance with the Committee for
usually becomes symptomatic in adolescence. Attacks may
Proprietary Medicinal Products’ guidelines. Since its intro-
be precipitated by emotional stress, minor infections or
duction in 1985, approximately 200 000 standard 500 unit
oestrogens [18,43]. Consequently, young adults are particu-
doses of the most widely available pasteurized C1-INH
larly at risk of frequent attacks and the lifetime economic
concentrate have been sold globally, and no apparent cases
cost of disrupted education and employment is likely to be
considerable. Additionally, under-treated attacks – where the
patient presents late – have major direct costs, as higherdoses of C1-INH are required and hospital admission ismore probable [11]. Studies in antibody therapy and hae-
Conclusion
mophilia show that home therapy is the most cost-effective
Recent UK and Canadian consensus documents providing
option for delivering this type of care [44–46]. Cost–benefit
recommendations on the management of HAE have
studies in HAE are required urgently.
endorsed the option of home therapy for HAE patients. This
Funding of treatments is coming under increased scrutiny
choice should potentially be made available to all HAE
in both insurance-based and taxation-based health-care
patients, including those who suffer only infrequent attacks,
systems. C1-INH is unlicensed in several countries. In the
and children. The opportunity for patients to manage their
United States it is not Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
health enriches QoL, as the now-routine home administra-
approved, but can be administered for compassionate use.
tion of home haemophilia and immunoglobulin replace-
Without FDA approval, HAE sufferers must pay the entire
ment therapies have shown. However, C1-INH is still an
cost of the therapy themselves. Licensing studies are under
expensive treatment option. Therefore, prophylaxis should
way for both plasma-derived and recombinant C1-INH and
be optimized in HAE patients, especially those who have
for other therapies for acute attacks of HAE. Access to
frequent, severe or rapid onset of attacks. If prophylaxis is
C1-INH, whether hospital- or home-based, is likely to
ineffective, such patients should be prioritized for C1-INH
remain suboptimal until licensed products are available.
Even if licensed, the manufacturing costs of plasma-derived
Many patients are now requesting home therapy, as aware-
C1-INH are likely to be out of reach for many middle- and
ness of its advantages increases through self-help network-
low-income countries. In the long term, recombinant
ing, and this should be encouraged. C1-INH is currently not
C1-INH or inhibitors of the bradykinin–kallikrein pathway
licensed in many European countries, including the United
may provide a solution [47–49]. In theory, kallikrein- or
Kingdom or the United States, and many physicians and
bradykinin-pathway inhibitors also provide an option for
funding authorities are reluctant to endorse new initiatives
patients with AAE who are resistant to C1-INH.
for rare diseases. However, given the proven efficacy andsafety of C1-INH, licensing concerns can be overcome by
Safety of C1-inhibitor concentrate
referring patients to specialist HAE centres, who retain
Products used for home infusion need to demonstrate a high
overall responsibility for clinical management and who have
standard of safety with respect to immunological or allergic
Journal compilation 2006 British Society for Immunology, Clinical and Experimental Immunology
A review of the current situation in HAE management
15 Agostoni A, Cicardi M, Martignoni GC, Bergamaschini L, Marasini
suggests that home therapy is indeed a viable and effective
B. Danazol and stanozolol in long-term prophylactic treatment of
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Acknowledgements
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Journal compilation 2006 British Society for Immunology, Clinical and Experimental Immunology
T h e n e w e ng l a n d j o u r na l o f m e dic i n e The HALTS Trial — Halting Atherosclerosis or Halted Too Early? Roger S. Blumenthal, M.D., and Erin D. Michos, M.D., M.H.S. In patients with elevated cholesterol levels, statin not that surprising, since previously published therapy reduces the incidence of cardiovascular studies showed that, as compared with placebo, events b