Gene therapy allows hemophilia B patients to naturally produce clotting agent
A single IV infusion of a novel gene therapy may allow patients with hemophilia B to produce enough clotting factor to prevent dangerous bleeding episodes, according to a study published Dec. 7 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
The Washington Post interviewed Jay Konduros, one of the patients enrolled in the small clinical trial. Konduros said he used to rush home after every bump or cut to inject himself with refrigerated blood-clotting factor to prevent excessive bleeding, bruising or swelling. But weeks after being injected with the gene therapy, he dropped a heavy box on his shin only to watch the bruise disappear on its own within hours.
Longer studies are needed to assess the therapy’s safety and effectiveness over time, but one expert said it could provide an “ideal cure” for hemophilia B.
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Daniel joined TriMed’s Chicago editorial team in 2017 as a Cardiovascular Business writer. He previously worked as a writer for daily newspapers in North Dakota and Indiana.