ASH Clinical News February 2016 | Page 33

CLINICAL NEWS Written in Featured research from recent issues of Blood PAPER SPOTLIGHT Long-Acting Recombinant Fusion Protein rIX-FP Is Safe, Effective for Patients with Hemophilia B The recombinant fusion protein linking coagulation factor IX with albumin (rIX-FP) is a safe and effective treatment for patients with hemophilia B, according to results from a recent phase III trial published in Blood. Also, given its longer circulating half-life, rIX-FP may be a more convenient option for patients, resulting in less frequent injections. Current prophylaxis treatment calls for frequent intravenous (IV) injections of FIX replacement product, with the standard half-life of these products often necessitating IV injections twice weekly. The need for frequent injections can put a burden on both patients with hemophilia B and their caregivers and may affect long