Recombinant activated factor VII: mechanisms of action and current indications.
Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) was initially developed to overcome the limitations of existing treatments for patients with congenital hemophilia and inhibitors. Clinical success in this arena led to experimental use in other coagulopathies characterized by impaired thrombin generation, and approval for use in acquired hemophilia, factor VII deficiency, and Glanzmann's thrombasthenia soon followed. Extensive research and growing experience in the clinical setting has increased our knowledge of rFVIIa and improved our understanding of how its mechanism of action leads to effective bleeding control. This article reviews current understanding of the mechanisms of action of rFVIIa before providing a brief overview of clinical experience to date in its licensed indications. The agent's safety profile is also examined, along with recent advances in rFVIIa dosing and storage that may help to improve both clinical outcomes and patient quality of life.
Franchini
Massimo
M
Servizio di Immunoematologia e Medicina Trasfusionale, Dipartimento di Patologia e Medicina di Laboratorio, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Parma, Italy. massimo.franchini@azosp.vr.it
Lippi
Giuseppe
G
D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D005167:Factor VII / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006487:Hemostasis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013915:Thrombasthenia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D005167:Factor VII