PNH: Progressive, Destructive, and Life Threatening

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a progressive and destructive disease that can cause thrombosis, end organ damage, and impaired quality of life.1-3

  • 35% of PNH patients die within 5 years of diagnosis1
  • In a patient population in which half the patients have <30% clone, 1 in 7 patients died within 5 years4
  • PNH may be diagnosed at any age; median age is in the early 30s.2
  • Thromboses (venous or arterial) account for approximately 40% to 67% of PNH-related deaths5

Learn more about the progressive morbidities and mortality associated with PNH.

Chronic hemolysis is the underlying cause of progressive morbidities and mortality in PNH.6 Even in the absence of symptoms, hemolysis is ongoing and destructive.7

In patients with PNH, thrombosis and renal failure are leading causes of death.2,3 * PNH also impairs major organ systems and quality of life for patients.8 Click on the links below to learn more.

Common symptoms of hemolysis signal the underlying threat of serious and disabling consequences.


*The majority of patients (63%) received concomitant anticoagulant therapy.9,10 The effect of anticoagulant withdrawal during Soliris® treatment has not been studied.9




IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: SERIOUS MENINGOCOCCAL INFECTIONS

Soliris increases the risk of meningococcal infections. Meningococcal infection may become rapidly life-threatening or fatal if not recognized and treated early

  • Vaccinate patients with a meningococcal vaccine at least 2 weeks prior to receiving the first dose of Soliris; revaccinate according to current medical guidelines for vaccine use
  • Monitor patients for early signs of meningococcal infections, evaluate immediately if infection is suspected, and treat with antibiotics if necessary

The effect of withdrawal of anticoagulant therapy during Soliris treatment has not been established. Therefore, treatment with Soliris should not alter anticoagulant management.

The most frequent adverse events observed in clinical studies were headache, nasopharyngitis, back pain, nausea, and fatigue.

SEE FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION FOR COMPLETE BOXED WARNING INCLUDING WARNINGS, PRECAUTIONS, AND ADVERSE REACTIONS.

References: 1. Hillmen P, Lewis SM, Bessler M, Luzzatto L, Dacie JV. Natural history of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. N Engl J Med. 1995;333:1253-1258. 2. Socié G, Mary J-Y, de Gramont A, et al, for the French Society of Haematology. Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria: long-term follow-up and prognostic factors. Lancet. 1996;348:573-577. 3. Nishimura J-I, Kanakura Y, Ware RE, et al. Clinical course and flow cytometric analysis of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria in the United States and Japan. Medicine. 2004;83:193-207. 4. Peffault de Latour R, Mary JY, Salanoubat C, et al. Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: natural history of disease subcategories. Blood. 2008;112:3099-3106. 5. Hillmen P, Muus P, Dührsen U, et al. Effect of the complement inhibitor eculizumab on thromboembolism in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Blood. 2007;110:4123-4128. 6. Brodsky RA. Advances in the diagnosis and therapy of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Blood Rev. 2008;22:65-74. 7. Rosse WF. Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ Jr, Shattil SJ, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 3rd ed. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone; 2000:331-342. 8. Hill A, Rother RP, Wang X, et al. Eculizumab reduces pulmonary hypertension through inhibition of hemolysis-associated nitric oxide consumption in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria [ASH abstract]. Blood. 2008;112: Abstract 486. 9. Soliris® [package insert]. Cheshire, CT: Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc; 2009. 10. Brodsky RA, Young NS, Antonioli E, et al. Multicenter phase 3 study of the complement inhibitor eculizumab for the treatment of patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Blood. 2008;111:1840-1847.

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