Rare Diseases and Conditions
These therapies replace missing or deficient proteins that allow individuals to lead healthy and more productive lives. The patients that rely on these therapies generally require regular infusions or injections throughout their lives. The diseases and conditions treated by plasma protein therapies are considered rare diseases because they affect a relatively small percent of the population. Most are genetic, chronic conditions.
Alpha-1 Proteinase Inhibitor therapies are used to treat:
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency is one of the most common serious hereditary disorders in the world and can result in life-threatening liver disease in children and adults and lung disease in adults. It is often referred to as genetic emphysema.
C1 Esterase Inhibitor therapies are used to treat:
Hereditary Angioedema
Hereditary Angioedema is caused by a missing C1 esterase inhibitor protein (C1-INH), which helps regulate inflammation. Patients can experience edema (severe swelling) which can be fatal if the airway becomes obstructed.
Coagulation Factors are used to treat:
Hemophilia A
Hemophilia A is a heredity bleeding disorder that is caused by a lack of clotting factor VIII. As a result, individuals with this condition suffer from bleeding into joints and other complications. For the most part, men have hemophilia A as the defective gene is found on the X chromosome. A woman who has the defective gene is considered a carrier and any male offspring have a 50% chance of having hemophilia A and female offspring a 50% chance of being a carrier. It affects one in 10,000 people. With treatment, individuals are able to lead relatively normal lives.
Hemophilia B
Hemophilia B is a blood clotting disorder caused by a mutation of the Factor IX gene. It is rarer than hemophilia A and affected royal families in both Europe and Russia. It affects one in 25,000 men. Replacement of Factor IX through recombinant therapy allows individuals to lead relatively normal lives.
Von Willebrand Disease
The most common bleeding disorder, Von Willebrand affects about 1.25 million men and women worldwide, although it is estimated that as many as 3 million are undiagnosed. Common symptons include excessive menstrual bleeding and nosebleeds. There are several kinds of VWD and symptom severity varies. With proper treatment, individuals may live relatively normal lives.
Antithrombin III Deficiency
Antithrombin III is a protein that prevents blood clots from forming. It is caused by an abnormal gene that may lead to blood clots. Data on incidence is uncertain.
Immune Globulins are used to treat:
Primary Immunodeficiency Disease (PID)
PID is a genetic condition that prevents an individual's immune system from functioning properly. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there may be as many as 150 PIDs. PID results a high susceptibility to infection and an inability to fight them with traditional antiobiotics.
Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)
CIDP is a rare autoimmune disorder that affects the peripheral nervous system of both children and adults. Nerves in the arms and legs may become weakened and lead to paralysis.
Idiopathic Thrombocytpenic Purpura (ITP)
ITP is an autoimmune blood disorder that results in reduced blood platelet levels, essential for blood clotting.
Kawasaki Disease
A condition that primarily affects children under the age of five and is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children. If it is not detected, it can result in heart damage and death.