Medical Literature - 2017

Katelaris CH 8/2017 Immunology and allergy clinics of North America

Several treatment modalities have become available for management of acute hereditary angioedema (HAE) attacks in the last 15 years. Most are now available to patients in North America, Europe, United Kingdom, and Australia, but few options exist in developing countries. Preferred contemporary use of the treatments to be discussed is “on demand,” because control remains with the patient and delays in treatment access avoided. Four treatments-plasma-derived C1 inhibitor concentrate, recombinant C1 inhibitor concentrate, ecallantide, and icatibant-are reviewed in this article. All have been shown to be superior to placebo and effective in the management of all HAE attacks. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Available from: sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0889856117300437?via%3Dihub

Grumach AS, Ferraroni N, Olivares MM, Lopez-Serrano MC, Bygum A. 10/2017 International Archives of Allergy and Immunology

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) with C1 inhibitor deficiency is a genetic disorder that clinically manifests with attacks of angioedema in the subcutaneous and submucosal tissues, mainly in the extremities, abdomen, and upper airway. During attacks, vascular permeability is increased due to increased bradykinin (BK). This means that special therapies are needed for attacks that do not respond to traditional antiallergic therapies involving antihistamines, corticosteroids, and epinephrine. The recurring attacks may disable patients and lead to frequent visits to emergency rooms where misdiagnoses are common. HAE attacks may be fatal when upper-airway edema occurs, if proper treatment with a C1 inhibitor concentrate or BK receptor antagonist is not administered or an emergency tracheostomy is not performed. We propose a mnemonic method for the warning signs of HAE for the use as a diagnostic tool, i.e., the so-called “ABC” of the warning signs of HAE. The letters represent the following: A = Angioedema, B = Bradykinin, C = C1 inhibitor, D = Distress factors, E = Epinephrine nonresponsive, F = Family history, and G = Glottis/Gastrointestinal edema. To avoid fatalities, medical staff and patients, including family members, must be aware of HAE. An alphabetical mnemonic method has been developed and we hope it may benefit patients. Copyright © 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Available from: karger.com/Article/Abstract/479839

Tse KY, Zuraw BL, Chen Q, Christiansen SC. 4/2017 Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology: Official Publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology

BACKGROUND: Hereditary angioedema due to C1 inhibitor deficiency (HAE) is a rare, life-threatening disease that imposes a significant burden on affected patients. 17alpha-alkylated androgens (anabolic androgens) decrease attack frequency and severity but carry the risk of potentially serious dose-related adverse effects. Despite the emergence of targeted therapies for HAE, continued anabolic androgen use has been driven in part by their low cost.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the hidden cost of anabolic androgen use related to the risk of developing non-HAE comorbidities.

METHODS: Patients with HAE were identified in the Southern California Kaiser Permanente database using clinical and laboratory findings compatible with HAE. These patients were stratified into anabolic androgen exposed and nonexposed groups. Matched controls were selected from the Kaiser database who did not have HAE or anabolic androgen exposure. Using multivariate analysis, we determined the number of non-HAE comorbidities linked to anabolic androgen use. We next determined the association between dosing and increasing exposure to anabolic androgens and the likelihood of having various comorbidities.

RESULTS: Patients with HAE exposed to anabolic androgens had a 28% increase (P = .04) in non-HAE comorbidities when compared with their matched (nonexposed) controls. With each gram per month increase in exposure, a 12% increase in non-HAE comorbidities is observed (P < .01). The most commonly occurring non-HAE comorbidities were psychiatric, muscle cramps, obesity, and hyperlipidemia.

CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that long-term anabolic androgen use enhances the risk of developing comorbid health conditions, thus amplifying the cost of care. Our report provides additional support for the preferred use of newer, targeted therapies for the management of HAE. Copyright © 2017 American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Available from: annallergy.org/article/S1081-1206(17)30019-4/fulltext

LoVerde D, Files DC, Krishnaswamy G. 4/2017 Critical Care Medicine

OBJECTIVES: Angioedema is a potentially life-threatening occurrence that is encountered by critical care providers. The mechanistic understanding of angioedema syndromes has improved in recent years, and novel medications are available that improve outcomes from these syndromes. This clinically focused review will describe the underlying genetics, pathophysiology, classification and treatment of angioedema syndromes, with an emphasis on the novel pharmacologic agents that have recently become available for acute treatment.

DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE search was conducted with the MeSH terms angioedema, acquired angioedema, hereditary angioedema type III, and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor-induced angioedema.

STUDY SELECTION: Selected publications describing angioedema, clinical trials, diagnosis, management, and genetics were retrieved (reviews, guidelines, clinical trials, case series), and their bibliographies were also reviewed to identify relevant publications.

DATA EXTRACTION: Data from the relevant publications were reviewed, summarized and the information synthesized.

DATA SYNTHESIS: The data obtained were used to describe the current state of diagnosis and management of various angioedema syndromes.

CONCLUSIONS: Angioedema is a life-threatening syndrome with multiple subtypes, each with a distinct pathophysiology. We present an evidence-based approach to the diagnosis and suggested management of various subtypes of angioedema. Securing the airway remains the most important intervention, followed by administration of both established and more novel pharmacologic interventions based on disease pathology.

Available from: journals.lww.com/ccmjournal/Abstract/2017/04000/Angioedema.20.aspx

Brown T, Gonzalez J, Monteleone C 12/2017 Journal of Clinical Hypertension

According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2012, one third of antihypertensive prescriptions in the United States in the past decade were for angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs). An important and serious side effect of ACEIs is angioedema caused by a reduction in bradykinin degradation. In a national medical chart abstraction study conducted at the US Veterans Affairs Health Care System in 2008, 0.20% of ACEI initiators developed angioedema while on the medication. The angiotensin-converting enzyme is a part of the renin-angiotensin system that converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II. It is additionally responsible for the degradation of bradykinin, which is generated from high molecular weight kininogen by kallikrein. Via bradykinin 2 receptors, bradykinin affects vascular permeability and stimulates the release of substance P, which is a peptide that causes vasodilation and fluid extravasation into tissues. Inhibition of the angiotensin-converting enzyme and subsequent blockade of bradykinin degradation is thought to be a likely explanation for ACEI-induced angioedema. Studies have shown that blacks, women, and smokers are at an increased risk for ACEI-induced angioedema. A 2005 study identified black race, history of drug rash, age older than 65 years, and seasonal allergies as independent risk factors for angioedema related to enalapril. Angioedema may occur at any time during treatment with ACEIs and may continue after the medication is discontinued. The degree of ACEI-angiotensin receptor blocker angioedema cross-reactivity is difficult to determine from the literature. However, multiple studies have reported relatively low rates of native angioedema with angiotensin receptor blockers (approximately half that of ACEIs, or 0.1%) and a low incidence of cross-reactivity (<10%). Common treatments for angioedema, such as antihistamines and glucocorticoids, have not been shown to be effective in ACEI-induced angioedema. However, medications that have been used for acute treatment of hereditary angioedema and target the factors that cause ACEI-mediated angioedema are being explored. Copyright ©2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Available from: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jch.13097

Aabom A, Andersen KE, Fagerberg C, Fisker N, Jakobsen MA, Bygum A. 3/2017 Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases

BACKGROUND: With a potentially early onset, hereditary angioedema (HAE) requires special knowledge also in infancy and early childhood. In children from families with HAE, the diagnosis should be confirmed or refuted early, which can be difficult. Studies of childhood HAE and the diagnostic approaches are limited. Our aim was to investigate the entire Danish cohort of children with HAE and non-HAE children of HAE patients for diagnostic approaches and clinical characteristics.

RESULTS: We included 41 children: 22 with HAE and 19 non-HAE. Of the HAE children, 14 were symptomatic-median age at onset was 4 [1-11] years. The first attack was peripheral in 8/14 children and abdominal in 6/14 children, i.e. no one had their first attacks in the upper airways. Most children had less than one attack per month. All of the symptomatic children had been treated with tranexamic acid and/or C1 inhibitor concentrate. Unlike in other countries, androgens were not used in our pediatric cohort. Home therapy with C1 inhibitor concentrate was established in 9 cases: 6 children were trained in self-administration and 3 children were treated by parents. Of the children, 10 had been diagnosed by symptoms, including 3 without family history-median age of diagnosis among these children was 5.35 [2-13.2] years. In 31 children, HAE was diagnosed or refuted before symptoms by blood samples. In 23 of these children, complement values were investigated, and in 9 cases genetic testing was added to the complement measurements. In 8 children recently investigated, genetic testing was first choice. Cord blood was used for complement measurements in 9 children and for genetic testing in 4 children. Results of complement measurements were equivocal in several cases, especially in the cord blood samples, and the sensitivity of low complement C4 for the diagnosis of HAE was 75%.

CONCLUSIONS: We investigated clinical characteristics in all Danish children with HAE. The rate of home therapy was high and androgens had been avoided. Complement values were often equivocal, especially in cord blood samples. Consequently, we have changed diagnostic practice to early genetic testing in children where the family mutation is known.

Available from: ojrd.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13023-017-0604-6

Longhurst HJ, Zanichelli A, Caballero T, Bouillet L, Aberer W, Maurer M, Fain O, Fabien V, Andresen I, IOS Study Group. 4/2017 Clinical and Experimental Immunology

Icatibant is used to treat acute hereditary angioedema with C1 inhibitor deficiency types I/II (C1-INH-HAE types I/II) and has shown promise in angioedema due to acquired C1 inhibitor deficiency (C1-INH-AAE). Data from the Icatibant Outcome Survey (IOS) were analysed to evaluate the effectiveness of icatibant in the treatment of patients with C1-INH-AAE and compare disease characteristics with those with C1-INH-HAE types I/II. Key medical history (including prior occurrence of attacks) was recorded upon IOS enrolment. Thereafter, data were recorded retrospectively at approximately 6-month intervals during patient follow-up visits. In the icatibant-treated population, 16 patients with C1-INH-AAE had 287 attacks and 415 patients with C1-INH-HAE types I/II had 2245 attacks. Patients with C1-INH-AAE versus C1-INH-HAE types I/II were more often male (69 versus 42%; P=0.035) and had a significantly later mean (95% confidence interval) age of symptom onset [57.9 (51.33-64.53) versus 14.0 (12.70-15.26) years]. Time from symptom onset to diagnosis was significantly shorter in patients with C1-INH-AAE versus C1-INH-HAE types I/II (mean 12.3 months versus 118.1 months; P=0.006). Patients with C1-INH-AAE showed a trend for higher occurrence of attacks involving the face (35 versus 21% of attacks; P=0.064). Overall, angioedema attacks were more severe in patients with C1-INH-HAE types I/II versus C1-INH-AAE (61 versus 40% of attacks were classified as severe to very severe; P<0.001). Median total attack duration was 5.0 h and 9.0 h for patients with C1-INH-AAE versus C1-INH-HAE types I/II, respectively. Copyright © 2016 British Society for Immunology.

Available from: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5343339/

Aabom A, Bygum A, Koch C. 10/2017 Clinical Biochemistry

OBJECTIVES: Low complement factor C4 is usually considered a valuable screening tool for patients with the potentially life-threatening hereditary angioedema with C1-inhibitor (C1-INH) deficiency (C1-INH-HAE). However, there are patients with C1-INH-HAE presenting with normal C4 levels. This means, that C1-INH-HAE may potentially be overlooked, if screening is performed only by measurement of C4. It has been suggested that measurement of C4 activation products is better suited to avoid false negative results. Our aim was to investigate whether total antigenic C4 or non-functional C4c is a better measure of the increased C4 activation in C1-INH-HAE patients.

DESIGN AND METHODS: Two different monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to human C4 were produced: one had specificity for the beta-chain of C4 and would thus react with both functional and non-functional C4, and the other was developed against the factor I cleavage site on the alpha₃-domain of C4 and was thus specific for activated, non-functional C4c. With these mAb we investigated plasma from 19 Danish C1-INH-HAE patients in three different enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs): a total antigenic C4 assay, a functional C4 assay and an assay measuring non-functional C4c.

RESULTS: The amount of total antigenic C4 varied considerably between patients and 2 patients had total antigenic C4 levels in the normal area. Functional C4 was low in all C1-INH-HAE patients. A C4c/C4 ratio showed that around half the C4 measured in patients was non-functional and captured all C1-INH-HAE patients.

CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the C4c/C4 ratio seems to be a better diagnostic measure than total antigenic C4 alone. Our findings underline that screening with total antigenic C4 implies a risk of overlooking C1-INH-HAE patients. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Available from: sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0009912017300139?via%3Dihub

Zanichelli A, Azin GM, Wu MA, Suffritti C, Maggioni L, Caccia S et al. 9/2017 The journal of allergy and clinical immunology. In practice

BACKGROUND: Acquired angioedema due to C1-inhibitor deficiency (C1-INH-AAE) is a rare disease with no prevalence data or approved therapies.

OBJECTIVE: To report data on patients with C1-INH-AAE followed at Angioedema Center, Milan (from 1976 to 2015).

METHODS: Diagnostic criteria included history of recurrent angioedema without wheals; decreased C1-INH antigen levels and/or functional activity of C1-INH and C4 antigen less than 50% of normal; late symptom onset (>40 years); no family history of angioedema and C1-INH deficiency.

RESULTS: In total, 77 patients (58% females; median age, 70 years) were diagnosed with C1-INH-AAE and 675 patients with hereditary angioedema due to C1-INH deficiency (C1-INH-HAE) (1 patient with C1-INH-AAE/8.8 patients with C1-INH-HAE). Median age at diagnosis was 64 years. Median time between symptom onset and diagnosis was 2 years. Sixteen patients (21%) died since diagnosis, including 1 because of laryngeal edema. Angioedema of the face was most common (N = 63 [82%]), followed by abdomen (N = 51 [66%]), peripheries (N = 50 [65%]), and oral mucosa and/or glottis (N = 42 [55%]). Forty-eight of 71 patients (68%) had autoantibodies to C1-INH. In total, 56 patients (70%) used on-demand treatment for angioedema including intravenous pdC1-INH 2000 U (Berinert, CSL Behring, Marburg, Germany) (N = 49) and/or subcutaneous icatibant 30 mg (Firazyr, Shire; Milano, Italy) (N = 27). Eventually, 8 of 49 patients receiving pdC1-INH became nonresponsive; all had autoantibodies. Thirty-four patients received long-term prophylaxis with tranexamic acid (effective in 29) and 20 with androgens (effective in 8).

CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of C1-INH-AAE was 1 for every 8.8 patients with C1-INH-HAE. Thirty percent of the deaths were related to the disease. Treatments approved for C1-INH-HAE are effective in C1-INH-AAE, although with minimal differences. Copyright © 2017 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Available from: sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213219817300211?via%3Dihub

Straka BT, Ramirez CE, Byrd JB, Stone E, Woodard-Grice A, Nian H, Yu C, Banerji A, Brown NJ. 7/2017 The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

BACKGROUND: The B2 receptor antagonist icatibant is approved for treatment of attacks of hereditary angioedema. Icatibant has been reported to decrease time-to-resolution of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor-associated angioedema in 1 study of European patients.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to test the hypothesis that a bradykinin B₂ receptor antagonist would shorten time-to-resolution from ACE inhibitor-associated angioedema.

METHODS: Patients with ACE inhibitor-associated angioedema (defined as swelling of lips, tongue, pharynx, or face during ACE inhibitor use and no swelling in the absence of ACE inhibitor use) were enrolled at Vanderbilt University Medical Center from October 2007 through September 2015 and at Massachusetts General Hospital in 2012. C1 inhibitor deficiency and patients with bowel edema only were excluded. Patients were randomized within 6 hours of presentation to subcutaneous icatibant 30 mg or placebo at 0 and 6 hours later. Patients assessed severity of swelling using a visual analog scale serially following study drug administration or until discharge.

RESULTS: Thirty-three patients were randomized and 31 received treatment, with 13 receiving icatibant and 18 receiving placebo. One patient randomized to icatibant did not complete the visual analog scale and was excluded from analyses. Two-thirds of patients were black and two-thirds were women. Time-to-resolution of symptoms was similar in placebo and icatibant treatment groups (P = .19 for the primary symptom and P > .16 for individual symptoms of face, lip, tongue, or eyelid swelling). Frequency of administration of H1 and H2 blockers, corticosteroids, and epinephrine was similar in the 2 treatment groups. Time-to-resolution of symptoms was similar in black and white patients.

CONCLUSIONS: This study does not support clinical efficacy of a bradykinin B₂ receptor antagonist in ACE inhibitor-associated angioedema. Copyright © 2016 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Available from: jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(16)31376-8/fulltext

Li HH, Reshef A, Baker JW, Harper JR, Relan A 11/2017 Allergy and asthma proceedings

BACKGROUND: Severe attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE) are debilitating and potentially life threatening, and can increase anxiety and the use of medical resources.

OBJECTIVE: This post hoc assessment evaluated recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor (rhC1-INH) used to treat acute severe HAE attacks.

METHODS: In a double-blind, randomized-controlled trial (RCT), patients with an HAE attack (baseline visual analog scale score of >=50 mm, with severe attacks defined as >=75 mm) were randomly assigned to receive rhC1-INH (50 IU/kg for patients who weighed <84 kg; 4200 IU for patients who weighed >=84 kg) or placebo. Also, in an open-label extension (OLE) study of rhC1-INH, oropharyngeal-laryngeal attacks were analyzed. Rescue therapy with rhC1-INH 50 IU/kg (<=4200 IU) was permitted after 4 hours or for life-threatening symptoms (in the RCT) or after 1 hour (in the OLE study). The primary end point measured the time to the beginning of symptom relief by using the Treatment Effects Questionnaire.

RESULTS: Of 75 adults in the RCT, 43 had severe attacks and received either rhC1-INH (n = 24) or placebo (n = 19). The median (95% confidence interval) time to the onset of symptom relief totaled 90.0 minutes (95% confidence interval, 47.0-120.0 minutes) versus 334.0 minutes (95% confidence interval, 105.0 to not calculable minutes; hazard ratio, 2.5; p = 0.02), for rhC1-INH and placebo, respectively. Open-label rhC1-INH rescue therapy was administered to 1 of 24 in the rhC1-INH group (4.2%) and 10 of 19 in the placebo group (52.6%). During the OLE study, the median onset of symptom relief with rhC1-INH for eight oropharyngeal-laryngeal HAE attacks was 69.0 minutes (95% confidence interval, 59.0-91.0 minutes).

CONCLUSION: In the current study, rhC1-INH was efficacious in resolving severe HAE attacks, including oropharyngeal-laryngeal attacks. The rhC1-INH rescue treatment rapidly improved symptoms for patients who received placebo and who experienced worsening or sustained symptoms.

Available from: ingentaconnect.com/content/ocean/aap/2017/00000038/00000006/art00010#

Chen M, Riedl MA 8/2017 Immunology and allergy clinics of North America

Remarkable progress has been made in the treatment of bradykinin-mediated angioedema with the advent of multiple new therapies. Patients now have effective medications available for prophylaxis and treatment of acute attacks. However, hereditary angioedema is a burdensome disease that can lead to debilitating and dangerous angioedema episodes associated with significant costs for individuals and society. The burden of treatment must be addressed regarding medication administration difficulties, treatment complications, and adverse side effects. New therapies are being investigated and may offer solutions to these challenges. This article reviews the emerging therapeutic options for the treatment of HAE. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Available from: sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0889856117300310?via%3Dihub

Weller K, Maurer M, Fridman M, Supina D, Schranz J, Magerl M. 3/2017 Allergy and Asthma Proceedings

BACKGROUND: To estimate health-related quality-of-life changes in patients with hereditary angioedema due to C1-inhibitor (C1-INH) deficiency who received subcutaneous C1-INH with recombinant hyaluronidase (rHuPH20) for attack prophylaxis in a randomized, double-blind, dose-ranging, cross-over study.

METHODS: Patients with type I/II hereditary angioedema received 1000 U of C1-INH with 24,000 U of rHuPH20 or 2000 U of C1-INH with 48,000 U of rHuPH20 every 3-4 days for 8 weeks and then crossed over for another 8-week period. The study was terminated early as a precaution related to non-neutralizing antibodies to rHuPH20. The Angioedema Quality of Life questionnaire (AE-QoL) was administered at weeks 1 and 5 of both periods, and at 1 week after the second treatment period. Changes in AE-QoL scores were calculated over both treatment periods and within each treatment period for patients with >=4 weeks of treatment.

RESULTS: Forty-one patients had evaluable AE-QoL data, and 22 patients completed treatment. At screening, 43% of the patients were receiving intravenous C1-INH. A significant average AE-QoL total score decline (improvement) of -8.1 (95% confidence interval, -13.7 to -2.5) was observed from baseline to the end of the study, and significant AE-QoL score declines were observed in the Functioning, Fear/Shame, and Nutrition domains. Patients on 2000 U reported higher mean AE-QoL score declines in Functioning and Nutrition domains relative to the 1000 U dose. Overall, 43.9% of all the patients, 45.5% of the study completers, and 46.7% of the nonprophylaxis users at baseline on high treatment doses achieved a reduction in the AE-QoL total score of six points.

CONCLUSION: Despite early termination and prestudy prophylactic intravenous C1-INH use by 43% of the patients, improved AE-QoL scores were observed after <=16 weeks of subcutaneous C1-INH-rHuPH20 prophylaxis.

Available from: ingentaconnect.com/content/ocean/aap/2017/00000038/00000002/art00014

Bouillet L, Boccon-Gibod I, Gompel A, Floccard B, Martin L, Blanchard-Delaunay C, Launay D, Fain O. 3/2017 European Journal of Dermatology: EJD

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare genetic disorder characterised by episodes of swelling without urticaria. Berinert (CSL Behring) is a plasma-derived human C1 inhibitor (C1-INH) concentrate, approved for the treatment of HAE with C1-INH deficiency (C1-INH-HAE), however, it is often used off-label in Europe to treat HAE with normal C1-INH. To report the clinical characteristics of patients with HAE with normal C1-INH (with F12 gene mutation; FXII-HAE) or of unknown origin (U-HAE), and their response to Berinert. Data from 2007 to 2016 (obtained retrospectively from the French Cohort BeRinert Angioedeme [COBRA] registry of HAE patients with everyday use of Berinert) were analysed; no control group was included. Diagnostic criteria for FXII-HAE and U-HAE included a normal C1-INH antigenic level and function and refractoriness to high-dose antihistamines. For FXII-HAE, diagnosis also included F12 gene mutation, and U-HAE a positive family history for the disease. To date, 28 patients with FXII-HAE or U-HAE were identified (mean age: 27 years; first angioedema attack at 19.8 years; 85.7% female) with 78 documented Berinert-treated attacks, the majority occurring in the laryngeal and abdominal regions. Efficacy assessment of Berinert was available for 38 of 78 documented Berinert-treated attacks; 22 improved within 60 minutes of treatment initiation, nine within 60-180 minutes, four after 180 minutes, and three showed no improvement. No severe or serious adverse effects were reported. Data to date suggest that Berinert may be a safe and efficacious treatment option for the majority of HAE patients.

Available from: link.springer.com/article/10.1684/ejd.2016.2948

Magerl M, Germenis AE, Maas C, Maurer M 8/2017 Immunology and allergy clinics of North America

A new form of hereditary angioedema (HAE) was identified in the year 2000. Its clinical appearance resembles HAE types I and II, which are caused by mutations that result in a deficiency of C1 inhibitor (C1-INH). In patients with the new form of HAE, C1-INH plasma levels and function values are normal, so it’s termed HAE with normal C1-INH (HAE-nC1). HAE-nC1, in a subgroup of patients, is thought to be caused by mutations that affect the F12 gene. The diagnosis of HAE-nC1 is based on history and clinical criteria. There are no licensed drugs with proven treatment effects for HAE-nC1. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Available from: sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0889856117300450?via%3Dihub

Banerji A, Busse P, Shennak M, Lumry W, Davis-Lorton M, Wedner HJ, Jacobs J, Baker J, Bernstein JA, Lockey R, Li HH, Craig T, Cicardi M, Riedl M, Al-Ghazawi A, Soo C, Iarrobino R, Sexton DJ, TenHoor C, Kenniston JA, Faucette R, Still JG, Kushner H, Mensah R, Stevens C, Biedenkapp JC, Chyung Y, Adelman B. 2/2017 The New England Journal of Medicine

BACKGROUND: Hereditary angioedema with C1 inhibitor deficiency is characterized by recurrent, unpredictable swelling episodes caused by uncontrolled plasma kallikrein generation and excessive bradykinin release resulting from cleavage of high-molecular-weight kininogen. Lanadelumab (DX-2930) is a new kallikrein inhibitor with the potential for prophylactic treatment of hereditary angioedema with C1 inhibitor deficiency.

METHODS: We conducted a phase 1b, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multiple-ascending-dose trial. Patients with hereditary angioedema with C1 inhibitor deficiency were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive either lanadelumab (24 patients) or placebo (13 patients), in two administrations 14 days apart. Patients assigned to lanadelumab were enrolled in sequential dose groups: total dose of 30 mg (4 patients), 100 mg (4 patients), 300 mg (5 patients), or 400 mg (11 patients). The pharmacodynamic profile of lanadelumab was assessed by measurement of plasma levels of cleaved high-molecular-weight kininogen, and efficacy was assessed by the rate of attacks of angioedema during a prespecified period (day 8 to day 50) in the 300-mg and 400-mg groups as compared with the placebo group.

RESULTS: No discontinuations occurred because of adverse events, serious adverse events, or deaths in patients who received lanadelumab. The most common adverse events that emerged during treatment were attacks of angioedema, injection-site pain, and headache. Dose-proportional increases in serum concentrations of lanadelumab were observed; the mean elimination half-life was approximately 2 weeks. Lanadelumab at a dose of 300 mg or 400 mg reduced cleavage of high-molecular-weight kininogen in plasma from patients with hereditary angioedema with C1 inhibitor deficiency to levels approaching that from patients without the disorder. From day 8 to day 50, the 300-mg and 400-mg groups had 100% and 88% fewer attacks, respectively, than the placebo group. All patients in the 300-mg group and 82% (9 of 11) in the 400-mg group were attack-free, as compared with 27% (3 of 11) in the placebo group.

CONCLUSIONS: In this small trial, administration of lanadelumab to patients with hereditary angioedema with C1 inhibitor deficiency reduced cleavage of high-molecular-weight kininogen and attacks of angioedema. (Funded by Dyax; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02093923 .).

Available from: nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1605767

Riha HM, Summers BB, Rivera JV, Van Berkel MA 11/2017 Journal of Emergency Medicine

BACKGROUND: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)-induced angioedema can occur at any point during therapy and, when severe, can require mechanical ventilation. Standard agents for anaphylactic reactions have limited efficacy for bradykinin-mediated angioedema and, therefore, agents approved for hereditary angioedema are increasingly prescribed for these patients.

OBJECTIVE OF THE REVIEW: This systematic review critically evaluates evidence describing the off-label use of fresh frozen plasma (FFP), prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC), complement 1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH), icatibant, and ecallantide for treatment of ACEI-induced angioedema.

DISCUSSION: A PubMed search was conducted and articles were cross-referenced for additional citations. All full-text clinical trials, case series, and case reports published in the English language describing pharmacologic treatment of ACEI-induced angioedema were included. Thirty-seven publications detailing FFP, PCC, and regimens approved for hereditary angioedema, including icatibant, ecallantide, and C1-INH, are reviewed extensively.

CONCLUSIONS: While findings of decreased time to symptom resolution or a cessation in symptom progression have been reported with each of these therapies, additional data showing clinically relevant implications, such as reduced intensive care unit length of stay or avoidance of mechanical ventilation, are warranted, especially when taking cost into consideration. FFP has limited evidence demonstrating a benefit for treatment of ACEI-induced angioedema without consistent dosing strategies. However, given its wide availability and low potential for adverse reactions, FFP therapy may be reasonable. Of the novel agents traditionally used for hereditary angioedema, icatibant has the highest level of evidence and has been reported to be successful in limiting the progression of angioedema. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Available from: jem-journal.com/article/S0736-4679(17)30489-4/fulltext

Akoglu G, Kesim B, Yildiz G, Metin A 9/2017 Anais brasileiros de dermatologia

BACKGROUND: Hereditary angioedema is a rare autosomal dominantly inherited immunodeficiency disorder characterized by potentially life-threatening angioedema attacks.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the clinical and genetic features of a family with angioedema attacks.

METHODS: The medical history, clinical features and C1-INH gene mutation of a Turkish family were investigated and outcomes of long-term treatments were described.

RESULTS: Five members had experienced recurrent swellings on the face and extremities triggered by trauma. They were all misdiagnosed as familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) depending on frequent abdominal pain and were on colchicine therapy for a long time. They had low C4 and C1-INH protein concentrations and functions. A mutation (c.1247T>A) in C1-INH gene was detected. They were diagnosed as having hereditary angioedema with C1-INH deficiency (C1-INH hereditary angioedema) for the first time. Three of them benefited from danazol treatment without any significant adverse events and one received weekly C1 esterase replacement treatment instead of danazol since she had a medical history of thromboembolic stroke.

STUDY LIMITATIONS: Small sample size of participants.

CONCLUSION: Patients with C1-INH hereditary angioedema may be misdiagnosed as having familial Mediterranean fever in regions where the disorder is endemic. Medical history, suspicion of hereditary angioedema and laboratory evaluations of patients and their family members lead the correct diagnoses of hereditary angioedema. Danazol and C1 replacement treatments provide significant reduction in hereditary angioedema attacks.

Available from: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5674698/

Riedl MA, Banerji A, Busse PJ, Johnston DT, Davis-Lorton MA, Patel S, Parr H, Chiao J, Watson DJ, Burrell E, Machnig T. 7/2017 Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology: Official Publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology

BACKGROUND: Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare genetic disorder with substantial morbidity and mortality. Despite expanded choices for effective acute treatment, prophylactic options are more limited. Intravenous C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH[IV]) is licensed and used to prevent HAE symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: To better understand patient experiences with using C1-INH(IV), including level of satisfaction and types and frequency of complications.

METHODS: Fifty adult members (>=18 years of age) of the US HAE Association who had HAE type I or II completed a self-administered internet survey. Eligible participants were experiencing at least 1 HAE attack per month and must have been receiving treatment with C1-INH(IV) as prophylaxis or acute therapy.

RESULTS: Almost all respondents (n = 47; 94%) were using C1-INH(IV) for HAE prophylaxis. Most patients reported administration of C1-INH(IV) through a peripheral vein (n = 34) and 19 were currently (n = 17) or previously (n = 2) using a central venous port. Most respondents (62%) who used a peripheral vein to administer treatment reported having difficulty finding a usable vein or getting the infusion to work properly at least some of the time. Issues accessing veins, exhausted veins, and frequency of attacks were the main reasons physicians recommended ports to respondents. Although ports allow easier administration of therapy, 47% of respondents with ports experienced problems such as occlusion, thrombosis, and infection. Respondents using C1-INH prophylaxis reported a mean of 2.3 attacks per month during the previous 6 months.

CONCLUSION: The survey results identified clinical challenges with IV HAE medication use, including venous access issues and ongoing monthly attack occurrence despite prophylactic C1-INH(IV) administration. Copyright © 2017 American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Available from: annallergy.org/article/S1081-1206(17)30405-2/fulltext

Aygoren-Pursun E, Soteres D, Moldovan D, Christensen J, Van Leerberghe A, Hao J, Schranz J, Jacobson KW, Martinez-Saguer I. 7/2017 International Archives of Allergy and Immunology

BACKGROUND: Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare genetic disease causing unpredictable and potentially life-threatening subcutaneous and submucosal edematous attacks. Cinryze (Shire ViroPharma Inc., Lexington, MA, USA), a nanofiltered C1 inhibitor (C1-INH), is approved in Europe for the treatment, preprocedure prevention, and routine prophylaxis of HAE attacks, and for the routine prophylaxis of attacks in the USA. This phase 3 study assessed the safety and efficacy of 2 C1-INH doses in preventing attacks in children aged 6-11 years.

METHODS: A randomized single-blind crossover study was initiated in March 2014. Results for the first 6 patients completing the study are reported here. After a 12-week qualifying observation period, patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 C1-INH doses, 500 or 1,000 U, every 3-4 days for 12 weeks and crossed over to the alternative dose for a second 12-week period. The primary efficacy endpoint was the number of angioedema attacks per month.

RESULTS: Six females with HAE type I and a median age of 10.5 years received 2 doses of C1-INH (500 and 1,000 U). The mean (SD) difference in the number of monthly angioedema attacks between the baseline observation period and the treatment period was -1.89 (1.31) with 500 U and -1.89 (1.11) with 1,000 U. During the treatment periods, cumulative attack severity, cumulative daily severity, and the number of attacks needing acute treatment were lower. No serious adverse events or study drug discontinuations occurred.

CONCLUSIONS: Interim findings from this study indicate that routine prevention with intravenous administration of C1-INH is efficacious, safe, and well tolerated in children >=6 years of age. Copyright © 2017 The Author(s) Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.

Available from: karger.com/Article/FullText/477541

Longhurst H, Cicardi M, Craig T, Bork K, Grattan C, Baker J, Li HH, Reshef A, Bonner J, Bernstein JA, Anderson J, Lumry WR, Farkas H, Katelaris CH, Sussman GL, Jacobs J, Riedl M, Manning ME, Hebert J, Keith PK, Kivity S, Neri S, Levy DS, Baeza ML, Nathan R, Schwartz LB, Caballero T, Yang W, Crisan I, Hernandez MD, Hussain I, Tarzi M, Ritchie B, Kralickova P, Guilarte M, Rehman SM, Banerji A, Gower RG, Bensen-Kennedy D, Edelman J, Feuersenger H, Lawo JP, Machnig T, Pawaskar D, Pragst I, Zuraw BL, COMPACT Investigators. 3/2017 The New England Journal of Medicine

BACKGROUND: Hereditary angioedema is a disabling, potentially fatal condition caused by deficiency (type I) or dysfunction (type II) of the C1 inhibitor protein. In a phase 2 trial, the use of CSL830, a nanofiltered C1 inhibitor preparation that is suitable for subcutaneous injection, resulted in functional levels of C1 inhibitor activity that would be expected to provide effective prophylaxis of attacks.

METHODS: We conducted an international, prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging, phase 3 trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of self-administered subcutaneous CSL830 in patients with type I or type II hereditary angioedema who had had four or more attacks in a consecutive 2-month period within 3 months before screening. We randomly assigned the patients to one of four treatment sequences in a crossover design, each involving two 16-week treatment periods: either 40 IU or 60 IU of CSL830 per kilogram of body weight twice weekly followed by placebo, or vice versa. The primary efficacy end point was the number of attacks of angioedema. Secondary efficacy end points were the proportion of patients who had a response (>=50% reduction in the number of attacks with CSL830 as compared with placebo) and the number of times that rescue medication was used.

RESULTS: Of the 90 patients who underwent randomization, 79 completed the trial. Both doses of CSL830, as compared with placebo, reduced the rate of attacks of hereditary angioedema (mean difference with 40 IU, -2.42 attacks per month; 95% confidence interval [CI], -3.38 to -1.46; and mean difference with 60 IU, -3.51 attacks per month; 95% CI, -4.21 to -2.81; P<0.001 for both comparisons). Response rates were 76% (95% CI, 62 to 87) in the 40-IU group and 90% (95% CI, 77 to 96) in the 60-IU group. The need for rescue medication was reduced from 5.55 uses per month in the placebo group to 1.13 uses per month in the 40-IU group and from 3.89 uses in the placebo group to 0.32 uses per month in the 60-IU group. Adverse events (most commonly mild and transient local site reactions) occurred in similar proportions of patients who received CSL830 and those who received placebo.

CONCLUSIONS: In patients with hereditary angioedema, the prophylactic use of a subcutaneous C1 inhibitor twice weekly significantly reduced the frequency of acute attacks. (Funded by CSL Behring; COMPACT EudraCT number, 2013-000916-10 , and ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01912456 .).

Available from: nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1613627

Longhurst H, Zinser E 8/2017 Immunology and allergy clinics of North America

Long-term prophylaxis is needed in many patients with hereditary angioedema and poses many challenges. Attenuated androgens are effective in many but are limited by side effect profiles. There is less evidence for efficacy of tranexamic acid and progestagens; however, the small side effect profile makes tranexamic acid an option for prophylaxis in children and progestagens an option for women. C1 inhibitor is beneficial, but at present requires intravenous delivery and may need dose titration for maximum efficacy. Short-term prophylaxis should be considered for all procedures. New therapies are promising in overcoming many problems encountered with current options for long-term prophylaxis. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Available from: sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0889856117300449?via%3Dihub

Riedl MA, Li HH, Cicardi M, Harper JR, Relan A 11/2017 Allergy and asthma proceedings

BACKGROUND: Recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor (rhC1-INH) is approved for treatment of hereditary angioedema (HAE) in adolescents and adults. HAE attacks that involve the upper airway can be life threatening, and data on the administration of rhC1-INH for these types of attacks are currently limited.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rhC1-INH for treatment of acute HAE attacks with upper airway involvement.

METHODS: A pooled analysis of data from three clinical trials with open-label extensions examined rhC1-INH for treatment of acute HAE attacks with upper airway involvement. Patients with functional plasma C1 esterase inhibitor <50% of normal who had experienced an acute upper airway HAE attack and received rhC1-INH were identified retrospectively based on severity of breathing or swallowing symptoms. The primary end point was the time to beginning of relief (time at which the overall visual analog scale score [0-100 mm] decreased from baseline by >=20 mm for two consecutive time points [persistence]).

RESULTS: Of 683 acute HAE attacks treated with rhC1-INH, data for 45 attacks with upper airway involvement were included. The median time to the beginning of symptom relief was 67 minutes (95% confidence interval, 60-120 minutes) and did not differ by attack number or by baseline breathing or swallowing symptom severity. Most attacks (91.1%) achieved the beginning of relief within 4 hours of rhC1-INH treatment. All attacks resolved without the need for any additional medication, and no patients required intubation or tracheostomy. Treatment with rhC1-INH was well tolerated, with no adverse events reported in more than one patient (except HAE reported as an adverse event [n = 2]).

CONCLUSION: This pooled analysis of clinical trial data supports the efficacy of rhC1-INH for treatment of acute HAE attacks with upper airway involvement.

Available from: ingentaconnect.com/content/ocean/aap/2017/00000038/00000006/art00011#

Riedl MA, Grivcheva-Panovska V, Moldovan D, Baker J, Yang WH, Giannetti BM, Reshef A, Andrejevic S, Lockey RF, Hakl R, Kivity S, Harper JR, Relan A, Cicardi M 9/2017 Lancet

BACKGROUND: Hereditary angio-oedema is a recurrent, oedematous disorder caused by deficiency of functional C1 inhibitor. Infusions of plasma-derived C1 esterase inhibitor deter attacks of hereditary angio-oedema, but the prophylactic effect of recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor has not been rigorously studied. We aimed to assess the efficacy of recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor for prophylaxis of hereditary angio-oedema.

METHODS: We conducted this phase 2, multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial at ten centres in Canada, the Czech Republic, Israel, Italy, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and the USA. We enrolled patients aged 13 years or older with functional C1-inhibitor concentrations of less than 50% of normal and a history of four or more attacks of hereditary angio-oedema per month for at least 3 months before study initiation. Patients were randomly assigned centrally (1:1:1:1:1:1), via an interactive response technology system with fixed allocation, to receive one of six treatment sequences. During each sequence, patients received intravenous recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor (50 IU/kg; maximum 4200 IU) twice weekly, recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor once weekly and placebo once weekly, and placebo twice weekly, each for 4 weeks with a 1 week washout period between crossover. All patients, investigators, and study personnel who participated in patient care were masked to group allocation during the study. The primary efficacy endpoint was the number of attacks of hereditary angio-oedema observed in each 4 week treatment period. Attack symptoms were recorded daily. The primary efficacy analysis was done in the intention-to-treat population. Safety was assessed in all patients who received at least one injection of study medication. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02247739.

FINDINGS: Between Dec 29, 2014, and May 3, 2016, we enrolled 35 patients, of whom 32 (91%) underwent randomisation (intention-to-treat population) and 26 (81%) completed the study. The mean number of attacks of hereditary angio-oedema over 4 weeks was significantly reduced with recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor twice weekly (2.7 attacks [SD 2.4]) and once weekly (4.4 attacks [3.2]) versus placebo (7.2 attacks [3.6]), with mean differences of -4.4 attacks (p<0.0001) and -2.8 attacks (p=0.0004), respectively. We recorded adverse events in ten (34%) of 29 patients given twice-weekly recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor, 13 (45%) of 29 patients given the once-weekly regimen, and eight (29%) of 28 patients given placebo. Headache (twice-weekly treatment) and nasopharyngitis (once-weekly treatment) were the most common adverse events. Two (7%) adverse events (fatigue and headache) were deemed possibly related to treatment with recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor, but both resolved without additional treatment. No thrombotic or thromboembolic events, systemic allergic reactions (including anaphylaxis), or neutralising antibodies were reported.

INTERPRETATION: Prophylaxis with recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor provided clinically relevant reductions in frequency of hereditary angio-oedema attacks and was well tolerated. In view of the pharmacokinetic profile of recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor, our results suggest that efficacy of C1-inhibitor replacement therapy might not be a direct function of plasma trough concentrations of C1 inhibitor.

FUNDING: Pharming Technologies. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Available from: thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(17)31963-3/fulltext

Baker JW, Reshef A, Moldovan D, Harper JR, Relan A, Riedl MA. 7/2017 The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. In Practice

BACKGROUND: Recombinant human C1-esterase inhibitor (rhC1-INH) is efficacious and well tolerated for managing hereditary angioedema (HAE) attacks in adults. However, there are insufficient data on its efficacy and safety in adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety profiles of rhC1-INH for acute HAE attacks in adolescents.

METHODS: Adolescents (aged 12-18 y) with HAE enrolled in 2 randomized controlled trials and 2 open-label extension trials were included and received intravenous rhC1-INH for acute attacks. Times to the beginning of sustained symptom relief (visual analog scale change from baseline >=20 mm) and minimal symptoms (visual analog scale score of <20 mm across locations) were assessed. Safety parameters included hypersensitivity reactions, anti-rhC1-INH antibodies, and host-related impurities.

RESULTS: Sixteen adolescents (50 attacks, aged 14-18 y) received rhC1-INH. Attacks were managed with single-dose rhC1-INH 50 U/kg (46.0%) and single-dose rhC1-INH 2100 U (16%), and 32.0% were treated with additional doses after receiving an initial rhC1-INH 2100 U dose (total dose, 4200-6300 U). Most attacks (88.0%) occurred at a single location; 59.1% (26 of 44) were abdominal. Across the first 5 attacks, median times to the beginning of symptom relief ranged from 19.0 to 78.5 minutes; median times to minimal symptoms ranged from 120 to 190 minutes. Pharmacokinetics showed that rhC1-INH restored functional plasma C1-esterase inhibitor levels to the normal (>70%) range for almost all evaluable patients. No severe or drug-related adverse events or hypersensitivity reactions occurred. No treatment-emergent antibodies to rhC1-INH or host-related impurities were observed.

CONCLUSIONS: rhC1-INH is efficacious and well tolerated among adolescents with HAE. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Available from: jaci-inpractice.org/article/S2213-2198(16)30562-1/fulltext

Fox J, Vegh AB, Martinez-Saguer I, Wuillemin WA, Edelman J, Williams-Herman D, Rojavin M, Rosenberg T. 5/2017 Allergy and Asthma Proceedings

BACKGROUND: Increased estrogen levels during pregnancy can exacerbate hereditary angioedema (HAE), yet disease and treatment ramifications remain poorly studied in pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE: Data from the international Berinert Patient Registry were used to evaluate outcomes of pregnancies exposed to plasma-derived, pasteurized, nanofiltered C1-inhibitor concentrate (pnfC1-INH) during routine HAE management.

METHODS: This observational registry, conducted between 2010 and 2014 at 30 U.S. and 7 European sites, gathered data on 318 subjects and 15,000 pnfC1-INH infusions. Whenever possible, the subjects who used pnfC1-INH during pregnancy were followed up to term to assess neonatal outcomes and to collect maternal adverse events (AE) that occurred up to 1 month after pnfC1-INH administration.

RESULTS: The registry data base included 11 pregnancies in 10 subjects who used pnfC1-INH for HAE attack treatment and/or prophylaxis (>261 doses during pregnancy). Eight pregnancies concluded in the birth of a healthy baby. Of the remaining three pregnancies: one was voluntarily terminated at 9 weeks of gestation; a second ended as a first-trimester spontaneous abortion 1 week after the subject’s most recent pnfC1-INH infusion and was considered unrelated to pnf-C1INH treatment; and the third occurred in a subject who exited the registry approximately 2 months before her due date, with no further follow up. As assessed for 30 days after each pnfC1-INH infusion, there were no AEs that were considered related to pnfC1-INH therapy.

CONCLUSION: Administration of pnfC1-INH during pregnancy was generally safe and not associated with any treatment-related AEs. In all registry pregnancies followed up to term, the birth of a healthy baby was reported.

Available from: ingentaconnect.com/content/ocean/aap/2017/00000038/00000003/art00014#

Hirose T, Kimbara F, Shinozaki M, Mizushima Y, Yamamoto H, Kishi M, Kiguchi T, Shiono S, Noborio M, Fuke A, Akimoto H, Kimura T, Kaga S, Horiuchi T, Shimazu T. 2/2017 Medicine

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) with deficiency of C1 inhibitor (C1-INH) is an autosomal-dominant disease characterized by recurrent episodes of potentially life-threatening angioedema. The objective is to study the incidence of HAE among patients who visit the emergency department.This was a 3-year prospective observational screening study involving 13 urban tertiary emergency centers in Osaka prefecture, Japan. Patients were included if they met the following criteria: unexplained edema of the body, upper airway obstruction accompanied by edema, anaphylaxis, acute abdomen with intestinal edema (including ileus and acute pancreatitis), or asthma attack. C1-INH activity and C4 level were measured at the time of emergency department admission during the period between July 2011 and June 2014.This study comprised 66 patients with a median age of 54.0 (IQR: 37.5-68.3) years. Three patients were newly diagnosed as having HAE, and 1 patient had already been diagnosed as having HAE. C1-INH activity levels of the patients with HAE were below the detection limit (<25%), whereas those of non-HAE patients (n = 62) were 106% (IQR: 85.5%-127.0%) (normal range, 70%-130%). The median level of C4 was significantly lower in the patients with HAE compared with those without HAE (1.2 [IQR: 1-3] mg/dL vs 22 [IQR: 16.5-29.5] mg/dL, P < 0.01) (normal range, 17-45 mg/dL).Three patients with undiagnosed HAE were diagnosed as having HAE in the emergency department during the 3-year period. If patients have signs and symptoms suspicious of HAE, the levels of C1-INH activity and C4 should be measured.

Available from: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5313030/

Magerl M, Frank M, Lumry W, Bernstein J, Busse P, Craig T, Martinez-Saguer I, Riedl MA, Shapiro R, Edelman J, Williams-Herman D, Wood DN, Feuersenger H, Rojavin M, Berinert Registry Investigators. 1/2017 Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology: Official Publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology

Available from: annallergy.org/article/S1081-1206(16)31197-8/fulltext

Otani IM, Lumry WR, Hurwitz S, Li HH, Craig TJ, Holtzman NS, Iandoli MI, Tucker J, Riedl MA, Zuraw BL, Banerji A. 3/2017 The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. In Practice

BACKGROUND: Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a life-threatening disorder characterized by recurrent angioedema. Icatibant, a subcutaneous bradykinin-B2-receptor antagonist, is an effective on-demand therapy. Data outside the United States suggest that self-administration is tolerated and patient-preferred compared with administration by health care professionals at medical facilities (HCP-administration).

OBJECTIVE: A prospective, multicenter study was conducted in the United States to compare icatibant self-administration and HCP-administration.

METHODS: Subjects 18 years or older with type I or II HAE were recruited. The first 2 HAE attacks after enrollment were treated at medical facilities. Subjects were instructed by a health care professional on self-administration during icatibant treatment for the second HAE attack. Icatibant was self-administered for all subsequent attacks. For each treated HAE attack, efficacy, safety, and tolerability data were recorded.

RESULTS: Nineteen patients with HAE received icatibant for 79 distinct HAE attacks. Mean attack duration was significantly shorter with self-administration (n = 50; 547 +/- 510 minutes) than with HCP-administration (n = 29; 968 +/- 717 minutes; P = .006). Mean time to treatment was significantly shorter with self-administration (143 +/- 226 minutes) than with HCP-administration (361 +/- 503 minutes; P < .0001). Shorter times to treatment were associated with shorter time from treatment to symptom resolution (r = 0.35; P = .02). Improvements in visual analog scale score and patient symptom score from pretreatment to 4 hours postinjection were comparable between self-administration and HCP-administration. There were no serious adverse events or discontinuations due to adverse events with self-administration or HCP-administration.

CONCLUSIONS: Icatibant self-administration shortened attack duration and time to treatment, with no difference in safety or local tolerability compared with HCP-administration. These findings support icatibant as an effective on-demand option for home-based treatment. Copyright © 2016 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Available from: jaci-inpractice.org/article/S2213-2198(16)30424-X/fulltext

Bernstein JA, Relan A, Harper JR, Riedl M. 4/2017 Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology: Official Publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology

BACKGROUND: Symptoms of hereditary angioedema (HAE) attacks can recur soon after initial treatment; the durability of response for recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor (rhC1INH) treatment is unknown.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy and durability of rhC1INH for acute HAE attacks.

METHODS: In this pooled post hoc analysis of 2 trials, patients with type I or II HAE (functional C1INH levels <50% of normal) and a baseline visual analog scale score of at least 50 mm were included if they had received at least 1 intravenous dose of 50 IU/kg of rhC1INH. Response was defined as symptom relief within 4 hours after treatment with persistence (>=20-mm decrease in visual analog scale scores [0 mm {“no symptoms at all”} to 100 mm {“extremely disabling”}] at 2 consecutive time points) during the 4 hours. Durability was the response without an increase of at least 20 mm in the minimum post-treatment visual analog scale score up to 24 hours. Recurrence and new attack symptoms were determined for patients with 72-hour post-treatment data.

RESULTS: Data were analyzed for 127 patients treated with 50 IU/kg of rhC1INH in 2 studies. Most attacks (90.7%) responded within 4 hours, with differences in response rates among attack locations (61.5%-94.4%). The median time to the beginning of symptom relief was 75.0 minutes (95% confidence interval 65.0-80.0). No relapse occurred during 24 hours for attacks that initially responded. Only 7.1% of attacks were associated with symptom recurrence within 72 hours of initial rhC1INH treatment.

CONCLUSION: This integrated analysis supports the efficacy of rhC1INH for treatment of acute HAE across multiple attacks, with a sustained response for at least 3 days.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifiers: NCT00225147 and NCT00262301. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Available from: annallergy.org/article/S1081-1206(17)30100-X/fulltext

Caballero T, Aberer W, Longhurst HJ, Maurer M, Zanichelli A, Perrin A, Bouillet L, Andresen I, IOS Study Group 7/2017 Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV

BACKGROUND: Hereditary angioedema (HAE) due to C1-inhibitor deficiency (C1-INH-HAE) is a rare, potentially fatal, bradykinin-mediated disease. Icatibant is a bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist originally approved in 2008 in the European Union and 2011 in the United States as an acute therapy option for HAE attacks in adults.

OBJECTIVE: To compare demographics, disease characteristics and treatment outcomes of icatibant-treated HAE attacks in patients with C1-INH-HAE enrolled in the Icatibant Outcome Survey across six European countries: Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK.

METHODS: The Icatibant Outcome Survey [IOS; Shire, Zug, Switzerland (NCT01034969)] is an international observational study monitoring the safety and effectiveness of icatibant. Descriptive, retrospective analyses compared IOS country data derived during July 2009-April 2015.

RESULTS: Overall, 481 patients with C1-INH-HAE provided demographic data. A significant difference across countries in age at onset (P = 0.003) and baseline attack frequency (P < 0.001) was found although no significant differences were found with respect to gender (majority female; P = 0.109), age at diagnosis (P = 0.182) or delay in diagnosis (P = 0.059). Icatibant was used to treat 1893 attacks in 325 patients with majority self-administration in all countries. Overall, significant differences (all P < 0.001) were found across countries in time to treatment [median 1.8 h; median range: 0.0 (Germany-Austria) to 4.4 (France) h], time to resolution [median 6.5 h; median range: 3 (Germany-Austria) to 12 (France) h] and attack duration [median 10.5 h; median range: 3.1 (Germany-Austria) to 18.5 (France) h].

CONCLUSION: These data form the first European cross-country comparison of disease characteristics and icatibant use in patients with C1-INH-HAE who are enrolled in IOS. International variation in icatibant practice and treatment outcomes across the six European countries assessed highlight the need to further investigate the range of country-specific parameters driving regional variations in icatibant use. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.

Available from: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5575527/

Farkas H, Reshef A, Aberer W, Caballero T, McCarthy L, Hao J, et al. 11/2017 The journal of allergy and clinical immunology. In practice

BACKGROUND: Clinical manifestations of hereditary angioedema with C1 inhibitor deficiency (C1-INH-HAE) usually begin in childhood, often intensifying during puberty. Currently there are insufficient efficacy/safety data for HAE therapies in children and adolescents due to the small number of pediatric patients enrolled in studies.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this phase 3 study was to evaluate the efficacy/safety of a single subcutaneous dose of icatibant (0.4 mg/kg; maximum 30 mg) in pediatric patients with C1-INH-HAE.

METHODS: Patients aged 2 years to younger than 18 years were categorized as prepubertal (children) and pubertal/postpubertal (adolescents). The primary end point was time to onset of symptom relief-earliest time posttreatment to 20% or more improvement in composite symptom score.

RESULTS: Thirty-two patients received icatibant (safety population: 11 children with attack, 10 adolescents without attack, and 11 adolescents with attack). The efficacy population consisted of 11 children and 11 adolescents with edematous attacks. Most attacks in the efficacy population (16 [72.7%]) were cutaneous, 5 (22.7%) were abdominal, and 1 (4.5%) was both cutaneous and abdominal; none was laryngeal. Overall, the median time to onset of symptom relief was 1.0 hour, the same for children and adolescents. Thirty-two treatment-emergent adverse events (all mild or moderate) occurred in 9 (28.1%) patients. Gastrointestinal symptoms were most common (9 events in 3 [9.4%] patients). Injection-site reactions affected most (90.6%) patients (particularly erythema and swelling), but almost all resolved by 6 hours postdose. Icatibant demonstrated a monophasic plasma concentration-time profile. Time to peak concentration was approximately 0.5 hours postdose.

CONCLUSIONS: Symptom relief was rapid, and a single icatibant injection in pediatric patients with C1-INH-HAE was well tolerated (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT01386658). Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Available from: sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213219817302532

Bork K, Wulff K, Witzke G, Hardt J. 2/2017 Allergy

Hereditary angioedema with normal C1 esterase inhibitor and mutations in the F12 gene (HAE-FXII) is associated with skin swellings, abdominal pain attacks, and the risk of asphyxiation due to upper airway obstruction. It occurs nearly exclusively in women. We report our experience treating HAE-FXII with discontinuation of potential trigger factors and drug therapies. The study included 72 patients with HAE-FXII. Potential triggers included estrogen-containing oral contraceptives (eOC), hormonal replacement therapy, or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Drug treatment comprised plasma-derived C1 inhibitor (pdC1-INH) for acute swelling attacks and progestins, tranexamic acid, and danazol for the prevention of attacks. Discontinuation of eOC was effective in 25 (89.3%) of 28 women and led to a reduction in the number of attacks (about 90%). After ending hormonal replacement therapy, three of eight women became symptom-free. Three women with exacerbation of HAE-FXII during intake of quinapril or enalapril had no further HAE-FXII attacks after discontinuation of those drugs. Eleven women were treated with pdC1-INH for 143 facial attacks. The duration of the treated facial attacks (mean: 26.6 h; SD: 10.1 h) was significantly shorter than that of the previous 88 untreated facial attacks in the same women (mean: 64.1 h; SD: 28.0 h; P < 0.01). The mean reduction in attack frequency was 99.8% under progestins after discontinuing eOC (16 women), 93.8% under tranexamic acid (four women), and 100% under danazol (three women). For patients with HAE-FXII, various treatment options are available which completely or at least partially reduce the number or duration of attacks. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Available from: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/wol1/doi/10.1111/all.13076/full