This randomized controlled trial has

effectively silenced doubts about the benefits of prophylaxis raised by a 2006 Cochrane Collaboration review [44]. There is now global consensus that primary prophylaxis, started at a young age before the onset of overt joint disease, should be regarded as standard of care for boys with severe haemophilia A in countries where there is reliable access to safe FVIII concentrates. It is not possible to make a definitive statement for boys with severe haemophilia B as the majority of data buy LBH589 regarding primary prophylaxis in the haemophilia population have been obtained from studies in patients with haemophilia A. This fact, together with the belief by some that the bleeding profile in patients with haemophilia B may be less severe than in comparable subjects with severe haemophilia A, may offer an explanation

for the observation that fewer severe haemophilia B cases are placed on long-term primary prophylaxis, started at an early age of life, than equivalent patients with haemophilia A [37]. Well-designed long-term studies of prophylaxis in boys with haemophilia B are urgently needed. The role of secondary prophylaxis remains to be defined. The benefits of secondary prophylaxis started in adolescent and adult haemophiliacs are very encouraging but, as with primary prophylaxis, prospective long-term studies are needed [45]. These studies should incorporate a battery of outcome measures such as objectively determined musculoskeletal disease and health-related quality of life Pirfenidone order measures [46]. A very important sub-group of patients are those with high-titre inhibitors to FVIII or FIX. Many of these cases are young boys with relatively good joint status. Approximately, two-thirds of subjects with high-titre 上海皓元医药股份有限公司 inhibitors to FVIII can be rendered responsive to infused FVIII following a programme of immune tolerance induction (ITI) therapy. During the period of ITI, which in many cases may

extend beyond one year, it may be very important to initiate a programme of prophylaxis with by-passing agents, either FEIBA or recombinant factor VIIa, in boys who manifest target joint bleeding. The greatest barriers to more widespread use of prophylaxis in young boys with severe haemophilia are the very high cost of this treatment approach and the challenge of venous access in very young boys started on full-dose prophylaxis. A possible solution may come from long-acting FVIII or FIX products, many of which are now in an advanced stage of development, and some of which have entered clinical trials. Given the anticipated degree of variability in PK profiles that is likely to be seen between individuals who are treated with these novel products, it will be important to consider PK directed therapy, perhaps using sparse blood sampling and Bayesian pharmacokinetic analysis. The impact of differences in half-life on time spent below a certain plasma factor level might be exacerbated with a longer half-life of infused clotting factors.