Highly purified VWF/FVIII concentrates in the treatment and prophylaxis of von Willebrand disease: the PRO.WILL study

Two therapeutic approaches are available to manage patients with von Willebrand disease (VWD): (i) the release of endogenous von Willebrand factor (VWF) from endothelial compartments induced by desmopressin (DDAVP); (ii) the transfusion of exogenous VWF contained in VWF/FVIII plasma-derived concentrates. Only a few high-purity VWF/FVIII concentrates have been extensively evaluated in pharmacokinetic (PK) trials as well as in retrospective or prospective efficacy studies in VWD. The Alphanate Study Group published results of PK and clinical efficacy studies in 2002. Efficacy results showed that 75% of bleeding episodes were controlled with one or two infusions, and 71% of patients who received prophylactic treatment for surgeries or invasive procedures had good clinical responses. In another retrospective study, 22 VWD patients in Italy received Fanhdi, a VWF concentrate similar to Alphanate. Excellent-good clinical responses were seen in 92% of bleeding episodes and in 93% of surgical procedures. More recently, the efficacy and safety of Fanhdi have been evaluated retrospectively in a larger cohort of Italian patients (n=103) with 97% (bleedings) and 99% (surgeries) of excellent/good clinical responses. The largest experience on secondary prophylaxis in VWD has been collected in Sweden in 35 patients with severe forms of VWD. Secondary prophylaxis was also implemented in a cohort of Italian patients with VWD. Prophylaxis was started because of GI bleeds in seven patients with types 3 (n=1), 2A (n=4), 2M (n=1) and type 1 (n=1) and for joint bleeds in four patients with type 3 VWD (n=4). Prophylaxis prevented bleeding completely in eight patients and largely reduced hospitalization for blood transfusions in the remaining three. The cost-effectiveness of these prophylaxis regimens versus on demand therapy will be now investigated in one large prospective study (PRO.WILL) organized in Italy.