The history of FEIBA: A lifetime of success in the treatment of haemophilia complicated by an inhibitor

Abstract

The development of alloantibodies that inhibit the function of factor VIII (FVIII) or factor IX (FIX) is the most serious complication associated with the treatment of haemophilia. Bleeding events in patients with high-titre inhibitors generally cannot be managed with factor replacement therapy and require alternative strategies for haemostatic support. For over 30 years, the activated prothrombin complex concentrate (aPCC) FEIBA has been used to bypass the need for FVIII and FIX and control bleeding in inhibitor patients. Several large clinical studies have shown that FEIBA provides effective haemostasis in at least 80% of acute bleeding episodes and is well tolerated. Current limitations of bypassing therapy include a lack of laboratory assays to monitor treatment and an unpredictable haemostatic effect. © 2006 The Authors Journal compilation © 2006 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.