A gene transfer approach to treat Bleeding Disorder Hemophilia B is safe and effective long -term, as scientists at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and University College London report today thirteen years of follow -up data. Hemophilia B is a rare genetic disorder caused by insufficient levels of a circulating protein called factor ix, which promotes blood clots. Researchers used a one -time gene therapy intervention to address the disorder. published in New England Journal of MedicineThe 13-year-old follow-up study has been the longest reported for any gene therapy for Hemophilia B. The result supports the long -term viability of gene therapy for the treatment of the disease, including a decrease in annual bleeding rate.
Hemophilia B is an X-Linked genetic disorder that affects one in about 25,000 male births. While disorders can occur in severity, persistent spontaneous bleeding and life-drank bleeding are caused by insufficient blood-clock factor IX. Treatment for Hemophilia B is traditionally expensive to supplement the lifelong supplement of clot factor, but gene therapy Provides a possible transformational means to address the disorder.
The important advantage is that the gene therapy is once, simple intravenous infusion that is very straightforward and potentially has a positive effect for a lifetime. ,
Andrew Davidoff, MD, St. Jude Department of Surgery Chair, Co-Executive on Studies
Safety, efficacy and long -term feasibility
The study consisted of 10 adults along with serious hemophilia B who received gene therapy drug between March 2010 and November 2012, with initial protection and Efficacy Successful successes were reported in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2014. Now, a decade later, the new 13-year-old follow-up reports leads these findings. Patients were followed in 10 additional years and all have maintained an excellent advantage in terms of freedom from a stable level and bleeding of the factor IX.
In the field of genes therapy, with the major stakeholders, including patients and families, questions about the permanent feasibility of these treatments remain, waiting to see what long -term results will be, such as the stability of durability and expression. “For these 10 patients, the factor level is stable and has been at the same level in these 13 years,” said Principal Investigator Ulric Rece, MD, St. Jude Department of Hematology. “Next, we have not seen any side effects or toxic events in long -term followers.”
Lack of toxic incidents is notable. On administering gene therapy, more than 90% of the liver is finished. Researchers carefully monitored it so that no problem arises, and while a small degree of liver Swelling Shortly after the vector administration was noted, it was curbed by the steroid administration and did not return after the initiative.
Results indicate an important quality life improving for treated individuals. Their annual bleeding rate (how much bleeding during one year) decreased from 14.0 episodes to 1.5 episodes. Additionally, even though the patient factor IX did not find within the general limit of expression, but the factor was still greatly improved in their case with a low dependence on the dose of IX.
The study’s chief explorer, Amit Nathwani, PhD, UCL Cancer Institute and Royal Free Hospital said, “It is incredibly rewarded to look at continuous security and efficacy, which really recognizes the capacity of gene therapy as a one -time treatment for this condition.” “Our findings answer important questions about the long -term durability of gene therapy, offer intensive hope and improve the quality of life for patients.”
Source:
Journal reference:
Reece, um, At al. (2025). AAV gene therapy in severe hemophilia B. New England Journal of Medicine, doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa2414783,