Individualizing prophylaxis in hemophilia: a review

Abstract

Prophylaxis is considered optimal care for patients with severe hemophilia to prevent bleeding, including hemarthroses, which may cause arthropathy with chronic pain, occupational impairment and progressive loss of mobility. Questions remain regarding the optimal delivery of prophylaxis including how to individualize prophylaxis and optimize outcomes for each patient. Designing a prophylactic regimen for severe hemophilia must account for each patient's unique disease course, bleeding pattern, presence/absence of joint damage, pharmacokinetic profile, level of physical activity and adherence to treatment. Standard weight-based prophylaxis regimens and regimens optimized by bleeding phenotype (i.e., patients are 'allowed' to bleed to dose optimization) fail to prevent complications in many patients. Pharmacokinetic-guided dosing enables precise adjustment of dosing level and frequency to maintain adequate hemostatic levels and prevent bleeding. Optimal outcomes, such as reducing or eliminating hemorrhages, preventing or minimizing joint damage, and improving quality of life, can be achieved through an individualized care approach.

Keywords: arthropathy; hemarthroses; hemophilia; personalized medicine; pharmacokinetics; prophylaxis.