Retrospective study of the clinical manifestations and efficacy of immunotherapy for patients with acquired hemophilia A

Abstract

Objective Raising awareness of acquired hemophilia A (AHA) and early diagnosis is critical to reduce the associated mortality rate. We aimed to characterize acquired hemophilia in Chinese patients and evaluate the effectiveness of immunotherapy. Methods The clinical characteristics, laboratory test data, therapeutic approaches, and outcomes of 20 patients with AHA who were admitted to Xi’an Central Hospital between January 2012 and December 2020 were retrospectively studied. Results Nine of the patients (45%) were treated by single glucocorticoid administration; three (15%) with cyclophosphamide (CP) in combination with a glucocorticoid; four individuals (20%) received a combination therapy of rituximab with CP and glucocorticoid or rituximab with CP, vincristine, and a glucocorticoid; three (15%) by injection of human immunoglobulin in combination with a glucocorticoid; and one (5%) with CP alone. Six patients (30%) achieved total remission and 11 (55%) partial remission (PR), but three (15%) did not enter remission, indicating an objective response rate of 85%. Conclusion Combination therapy with rituximab or intravenous human immunoglobulin achieves superior results in some patients with AHA. Immunosuppression and the administration of coagulation factors can rapidly control the disease and are efficacious, but >50% of patients only achieved PR. These findings suggest that the complete elimination of inhibitors requires prolonged immunosuppression therapy.