Studies

DGHO guideline on PNH updated

The German Society for Hematology and Medical Oncology (DGHO) has updated the guideline for PNH . The recommendations for diagnosis and therapy were brought up to date.

Alexion plans to acquire Achillion

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, the maker of eculizumab (Soliris®) and ravulizumab (Ultomiris®), has reached an agreement with Achillion Pharmaceuticals to provide the smaller biopharmaceutical company for approximately $ 930 million (equivalent to approximately € 840 million) take over. If Achillion shareholders and regulators agreeWEITER

11th Essen patient seminar successful

On September 28, 2019, the Essen University Hospital held its 11th patient and family seminar on PNH and AA. Under the direction of Prof Dr Ulrich Dührsen and PD Dr Alexander Röth as usual a varied and exciting program was offered that left enough space for breaks and exchanges between the more than 200 participants. WEITER

Approval of pegcetacoplan for PNH patients

On 13 December 2021 a new drug for the treatment of adult patients with PNH was approved in the EU: The substance pegcetacoplan which inhibits specific processes in the immune system will probably be available in Germany in the beginning of 2022. Its trade name is Aspaveli®.

The drug is a so-called C3 complement inhibitor: The complement system is part of the body's own immune system which in PNH attacks the red blood cells (erythrocytes) and destroys them. Pegcetacoplan inhibits a certain part of the complement system and thereby the destruction of red blood cells outside the blood vessels (extravascular), leading to an improved life cycle of the erythrocytes and improved haemoglobin levels.

Pegecetacoplan is approved for patients who remain anaemic despite treatment with a C5 inhibitor (eculizumab or ravulizumab) for at least 3 months. C5 is also part of the complement system. The drug is administered twice a week as a subcutaneous infusion. Among the most common side effects are reactions at the injection site, infections of the upper respiratory tract, headache, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea.

"Summary of product characteristics" by the European Medicines Agency EMA.

The drug is not entirely new: On 5 April of this year, we already reported in detail on the mechanism of action and the current studies on it in a blog post on our website.

Exercise reduces risk of severe COVID-19 courses

It's no secret that exercise is good for our body: we have all heard or read somewhere that regular physical activity reduces the risk of developing metabolic or cardiovascular diseases, for example. For about a year, however, fitness studios and sports clubs have been closed and even an evening walk is made difficult in some places by a curfew. In short - the pandemic is not exactly making it easier for us to stay fit. Meanwhile, the large-scale British Journal of Sports Medicine study from the USA suggests that exercise is particularly important in these times: Almost 50,000 COVID-19 infected peopple were asked about their daily activitly level (looking back for the past two years before infection with SARS-CoV-2). The study was recently published. 14% of the respondents were physically inactive (≤ 10 minutes of exercise per week). 80% reported moderate activity (11-149 minutes of exercise per week) and 6% did steady 150 minutes of exercise per week. WEITER

Results of the PEGASUS study on APL-2

A recently published study from Leeds, England examines the effectiveness of the new drug pegcetacoplan on paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). Pegcetacoplan has not yet been approved for PNH therapy in Europe, but approval is currently being examined by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). For this reason, we would like to briefly introduce the drug and the study to you and first take a brief look at the blood formation disorder underlying PNH in order to understand how Pegcetacoplan works:

Normally there are certain proteins on the surface of the red blood cells (erythrocytes), which transport oxygen through our body. Among other things, these regulate the immune system and prevent the erythrocytes from being broken down prematurely as they circulate through the body. At the PNHWEITER

Patients with stem cell transplants: study on sport and exercise

Heidelberg University is currently carrying out a research project in collaboration with the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT): Patients who have received a stem cell transplant are asked about their attitudes towards physical activity. Specifically, the aim is to determine how patients feel about physical activity during and after a stem cell transplant, how they perceive it and how well they feel advised in this regard. Above all, questions are asked about the situation before the start of the pandemic, when sport and exercise were perhaps easier and more diverse. As an association, we would like to support this study, because its aim is to adapt the offers of help and information materials on the subject of "Sport and exercise in stem cell therapy" more specifically to the wishes and needs of the patients. WEITER

Pandemic Impact Survey on AA / PNH Patients

In July / August 2020, under the leadership of Priv.-Doz. Dr. Fabian Beier started the first round of a survey to record the effects of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on AA and PNH patients in Germany. The focus was on the availability of information on COVID-19 and delays in treatments. We were very pleased that the lichterzellen foundation and our association were included in the design of the survey.
The evaluation of the first round of questions showed that around 20% of the respondents had little or no access toWEITER

EMAA trial

Adult patients with acquired moderate Aplastic Anaemia (mAA) who have not received a specific treatment for their mAA may be included in the EMAA trial of Ulm University (Eltrombopag in Moderate Aplastic Anaemia). They receive either ciclosporin and eltrombopag or ciclosporin and a placebo. The aim of the trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination therapy of ciclosporin and eltrombopag. Patients with or without prior transfusions can be included.

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