SOLIRIS (eculizumab): The first treatment specifically approved for PNH

For US Healthcare Professionals

Screening for PNH

Who should be screened for PNH?

Published guidelines offer specific recommendations for screening patients with suspected PNH


Screen patients with*

  • Hemoglobinuria — presenting symptom in only 26% of cases
     
  • Coombs-negative hemolytic anemia
     
  • PNH is more common in patients with bone marrow dysfunction
    • Screen annually for PNH in patients with aplastic anemia (AA) or myelodysplastic syndromes ( MDS)

  • Hemolytic anemia
     
  • Venous thrombosis without explanation:
    • Typical DVT1
    • Unusual sites
      • Budd-Chiari Syndrome
      • Mesenteric, portal, cerebral, or portal veins

  • Unexplained arterial thrombosis
     
  • Episodic dysphagia or abdominal pain with evidence of hemolysis

*Adapted from Parker et al, 2005.

Screening for PNHThe signs and symptoms of PNH are often similar to those found in other diseases. PNH is also often associated with aplastic anemia (AA) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), both of which are considered bone marrow failure disorders. In fact, 25% to 45% of aplastic anemia patients and 10% to 23% of MDS patients have PNH.2-5

Next: Flow Cytometry in PNH Diagnosis

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: SERIOUS MENINGOCOCCAL INFECTION

SOLIRIS® increases the risk of meningococcal infections.

Vaccinate patients with a meningococcal vaccine at least 2 weeks prior to receiving the first dose of SOLIRIS; revaccinate according to current medication 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.

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

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

Please see important safety information (including boxed warning) as well as the complete prescribing information.

References:
1. Rother RP, Bell L, Hillmen P, Gladwin MT. The clinical sequelae of intravascular hemolysis and extracellular plasma hemoglobin. JAMA. 2005;293:1653-1662.
2. Johnson RJ, Hillmen P. Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: nature's gene therapy? J Clin Pathol Mol Pathol. 2992;55:145-152.
3. Wang H, Chuhjo T, Yasue S, Omine M, Makao S. Clinical significance of a minor population of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria-type cells in bone marrow failure syndrome. Blood. 2002;100:3897-3902.
4. Iwanga M, Furukawa K, Amenomori T, et al. Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria clines in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes. Brit J Haematol. 1998;102:465-474.
5. Maciejewski JP, Rivera C, Kook H, Dunn D, Young NS. Relationship between bone marrow failure syndromes and the presence of glycophophatidyl inositol-anchored protein-deficient clones. Brit J Haematol. 2001;115:1015-1022.