The following recommendation was approved by the Medical and Scientific Advisory Council (MASAC) on April 13, 2014, and adopted by the NHF Board of Directors on June 5, 2014.

There is wide variability of factor activity level resultsdepending upon the assay selected to perform the task (i.e. one stage assays vs. chromogenic assays). In certain scenarios, a chromogenic assay may be preferable to a one-stage assay, or it may be a useful adjunct for diagnosis. Currently,chromogenic assays are limited in availability in the U.S. for routine clinical use. Awareness of the strengths and weaknesses and increasing the availability of both assays will aid in the assay choice in a given clinical situation. (1)

We are entering an era in which therapeutic products to treat hemophilia A and B are produced by genetic modification and post-translational changes of the factor molecule. These new molecules are, in some cases, magnifying limitations with the assays currently available for monitoring replacement therapy. It has been widely recognized that there is marked variability between factor VIII and factor IX one-stage assays performed in different laboratories, owing to the numerous combinations of aPTT reagents, instruments, calibration standards, and factor- deficient plasmas available. In addition, the variability among the aPTT-based assays is greater when attempting to measure factor levels near the lower limits of the assay range. Moreover, in some test conditions the aPTT may not be sensitive enough to screen for mild factor VIII and factor IX deficiencies, and reliance on the one-stage aPTT assay alone may not allow accurate characterization of some forms of mild hemophilia.

These problems are either minimized or not seen when chromogenic assays are performed. Chromogenic assays have become widely utilized in Europe, and the European Pharmacopoeia requires that potency of all factor products be assigned using a chromogenic assay. In the U.S., however, there are not enough FDA-approved chromogenic assays, and such assays may be more costly than the one-stage assays.

Therefore MASAC recommends the following:

  1. Laboratories routinely performing factor assays on patients with hemophilia should strongly consider the addition of factor VIII and factor IX chromogenic assays when these assays are approved by the FDA.
  2. Laboratories routinely performing factor assays should participate in regular proficiency testing as well as in field surveys being done by manufacturers of newer clotting factor concentrates.
  3. Manufacturers of chromogenic factor assays are encouraged to bring their products to the U.S. market for clinical availability.
  4. FDA should expedite approval of chromogenic assays for factor activity levels, including factor IX, to ensure that the newer modified factor products are being monitored appropriately. This will ensure that these products are being used safely and appropriately in individuals with hemophilia and other bleeding disorders to prevent the potential consequences of over- or under-dosing.

REFERENCES

  1. Moser KA, Funk DMA. Chromogenic Factor VIII activity assay. American Journal of Hematology 2014 Mar 27. doi: 10.1002/ajh.23723.
  2. Sommer JM, Moore N, McGuffie-Valentine B, Bardan S, Buyue Y, Kamphaus GD, Konkle BA, Pierce GF. Comparative field study evaluating the activity of recombinant factor VIII Fc fusion protein in plasma samples at clinical haemostasis laboratories. Haemophilia. 2014; 20(2): 294-300.
  3. Gu JM, Ramsey P, Evans V, Tang L, Apeler H, Leong L, Murphy JE, Laux V, Myles T. Evaluation of the activated partial thromboplastin time assay for clinical monitoring of PEGylated recombinant factor VIII (BAY 94-9027) for haemophilia A. Haemophilia. 2014 Jan 29. doi: 10.1111/hae.12374. [Epub ahead of print]
  4. Viuff D, Barrowcliffe T, Saugstrup T, Ezban M, Lillicrap D. International comparative field study of N8 evaluating factor VIII assay performance. Haemophilia. 2011; 17(4): 695-702.
  5. Barrowcliffe TW, Raut S, Sands D, Hubbard AR. Coagulation and chromogenic assays of factor VIII activity: general aspects, standardization, and recommendations. Semin Thromb Hemost. 2002; 28(3): 247-56.

This material is provided for your general information only. NHF does not give medical advice or engage in the practice of medicine. NHF under no circumstances recommends particular treatment for specific individuals and in all cases recommends that you consult your physician or local treatment center before pursuing any course of treatment.

Copyright 2014 National Hemophilia Foundation. To facilitate the dissemination of these medical recommendations, reproduction of any material in this publication in whole or in part will be permitted provided: 1) a specific reference to the MASAC recommendation number and title is included and 2) the reproduction is not intended for use in connection with the marketing, sale or promotion of any product or service. NHF reserves the right to make the final determination of compliance with this policy. For questions or to obtain a copy of the most recent recommendations, please contact the NHF Director of Communications at 1-800-42-HANDI or visit the NHF website at www.hemophilia.org.

MASAC Documents
MASAC Document 228 - Statement Regarding Use of Various Clotting Factor Assays to Monitor Factor Replacement Therapy