Combination immunosuppressive therapy after factor VIII infusion for acquired factor VIII inhibitor

To evaluate the effectiveness of combined cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (CVP) therapy after antigenic stimulation with factor VIII in the eradication of factor VIII inhibitor.

Factor VIII activity and inhibitor titer were measured before and after FVIII-CVP therapy and patients with factor VIII inhibitor were followed for at least 2 years.

The first course of therapy was carried out in the hospital when nonhemophiliac patients were admitted for bleeding. Otherwise, treatment was administered at the outpatient clinic.

From 1975 to 1986 we studied 12 nonhemophiliac and 5 hemophiliac patients with factor VIII inhibitor treated with FVIII-CVP and followed at our clinic.

Patients were infused with one dose of factor VIII concentrate, 50 to 100 U/kg body weight, followed by cyclophosphamide, 500 mg on day 1 and 200 mg/d on days 2 to 5; vincristine, 2 mg on day 1; and prednisone, 100 mg/d on days 1 to 5. This regimen was repeated every 3 to 4 weeks.

Of 12 nonhemophiliac patients, 11 responded after 1 to 3 courses of FVIII-CVP with complete disappearance of the inhibitor without recurrence. Among 5 patients with hemophilia who were given 3 to 8 courses, only 1 patient responded with a transient disappearance of inhibitor. Mild neutropenia and infection occurred in 3 patients and required antibiotic treatment.

Factor VIII-CVP therapy is highly effective in the eradication of factor VIII inhibitor in nonhemophiliac patients but not in patients with hemophilia.