Bleeding Disorders

Low Titer Group O Whole Blood in Trauma

Click here for a July 2024 CAP Today article describing the growing use of low titer group O whole blood in trauma and emergencies and its effect on trauma-induced coagulopathy.

Bleeding Disorders

Bioengineered FVIII: efanestocog alfa

Here is a richly illustrated open-access editorial of the development and physiologic function of efanesoctocog alfa (Altuviiio®, Sanofi), which features a half-life 4X that of current concentrates: Chowdary P. Bioengineered factor VIII–more innovation for Hemophilia A. N Engl J Med. 2024;391:277–82. doi: 10.1056/NEJMe2313795. PMID: 39018538.

Bleeding Disorders

Concizumab, A “Rebalancing Agent”

Below is the abstract of a 2019 presentation by Amy Shapiro MD, CEO and co-medical director of the Indiana Hemophilia & Thrombosis Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, describing the rebalancing agent concizumab, approved as Alhemo® by Health Canada in March 2023 but rejected by the US FDA on May 5, 2023, with a request for […]

Bleeding Disorders

Fitusiran: A “Rebalancing Agent”

Fitusiran is an inhibitory double-stranded RNA (RNAi, also called small interfering RNA, siRNA). Fitusiran, termed a “rebalancing agent,” suppresses the nuclear production of antithrombin (AT) messenger RNA (mRNA). AT is a major coagulation control protein that binds and disables thrombin and FXa (also FIXa and FXIa to a lesser extent). By suppressing AT production, fitusiran […]

Bleeding Disorders

June 2024 QQ Poll Summary: OSA and Chromogenics

Our June 2024 Quick Question attracted 18 responses. This month’s Question was a poll that asked, “How do you assay factor concentrates?” Here are our answers: Clot-based assay: 11 [61%] Chromogenic substrate assay: 4 [22%] Other: 3 [17%] Factor assays are most often requested to monitor hemophilia factor concentrate activity for patient-specific efficacy and the […]

VWD in Nigeria: Request for Proposal

Hello George. I am reaching out from my research institute as we are planning to apply for a grant from the Wellcome Trust. Our project title is “Comprehensive Characterization Of von Willebrand’s Disease in Nigeria; Closing the Gap in Global Bleeding Disorders.” As a collaborator, you will be asked to support the delivery of the […]

Bleeding Disorders

June 2024 QQ: Factor Assays

Our June 2025 Quick Question is a poll that asks, “How do you assay factor concentrates?” The question reflects the current hemostasis laboratory efforts to quantify therapeutic FVIII or FIX concentrate activity given the variety of plasma-based, recombinant, B-domain-deleted, and extended half-life therapeutics. We also manage factor concentrates that are employed to control breakthrough bleeds […]

Quick Question Archive

May 2024 QQ Summary: Platelet Transfusion Trigger

Our May 2024 Quick Question was a survey that asked, “Below what PLT count limit do you provide PLT concentrate?” our 25 participants answered as follows: <150,000/uL: 2 [8%] <50,000/uL: 3 [12%] <20,000/uL: 7 [28%] <10,000/uL: 13 [52%] <5,000/uL: 0 The correct answer is “it depends.” Current WHO platelet concentrate transfusion guidelines are available at […]

Quick Question Archive

Marstacimab Anti-TFPI Moab Submitted for FDA and EMA Approval

Pfizer has applied to the US FDA and the European Medicines Agency [EMA] for approval of their monoclonal antibody anti-tissue factor pathway inhibitor [TFPI] therapeutic, marsticimab, a competitor to Novo Nordisk’s concizumab, approved by Health Canada under the trademark Alhemo®, and awaiting FDA and EMA approval. The FDA anticipates an FDA ruling in the fourth […]

Bleeding Disorders

PBI Webinar: FVIII & FIX Testing of Emerging Therapies

I (Geo) recommend a May 8, 2024 Precision BioLogic webinar by Chief Scientific Officer Jon Geske, PhD and Marketing Director Ian Burns that compares one-stage clot-based and chromogenic assays when testing for the activity of extended half-life FVIII and FIX concentrates, FVIII mimetics such as emicizumab, RNAi’s such as fitusiran, and the products of FVIII […]

Bleeding Disorders

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George Fritsma is a medical laboratory scientist, educator, and author. George holds faculty appointments with Rutgers University and Michigan State University, and is a member of the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis, American Association of Clinical Chemists, and American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science.

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