News

Two signaling pathways — NOTCH2 and NF-kB — are likely involved in both autoimmunity and driving splenic marginal zone lymphoma in patients with acquired angioedema, new research shows. The study, “Splenic marginal zone lymphomas in acquired C1-inhibitor deficiency: clinical and molecular characterization,” was published in the journal…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted fast track status to BCX7353, an investigational therapy being developed by BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, for the prevention of angioedema attacks in patients with hereditary angioedema. That status will support the development of BCX7353, speed its review and, depending on how it performs…

Bradykinin — the molecule involved in most angioedema attacks — also plays a part in a nonallergic type caused by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, including migraine and blood pressure medications, a study found. But Firazyr (icatibant), an inhibitor of…

Daily treatment with BCX7353, an investigative oral inhibitor of plasma kallikrein, reduces the rate of attacks in hereditary angioedema (HAE) patients by more than 70%, a Phase 2 study shows. Also, more patients receiving the prophylactic, or preventive, treatment remained without an attack during the study’s four-week duration. The study,…

Children with hereditary angioedema frequently have difficulties recognizing their own emotions (alexithymia), which could be a key source of psychological stress that triggers acute attacks of swelling, an Italian study found. Guidelines recommend that management of these patients should include psychological intervention to ease stress…

Most physicians in Canada say they follow the guidelines for diagnosing and treating hereditary angioedema (HAE), and to have adopted treatments with the C1 esterase inhibitors Berinert, Cinryze, and Haegarda, as well as Firazyr…

Treatment of hereditary angioedema (HAE) with C1-esterase inhibitors (C1-INH) provides efficient relief of acute attacks across different locations of the body, according to a new study. The research was presented at the 2018 American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI)/World Allergy Organization (WAO) Joint Congress, which…

Researchers have developed a new way to distinguish bradykinin-mediated angioedema from histamine-mediated angioedema. This biomarker tool may improve the use of targeted therapies in angioedema patients. The study, “Threshold‐Stimulated Kallikrein Activity Distinguishes Bradykinin‐ From Histamine‐Mediated Angioedema,” was published in Clinical & Experimental Allergy. Angioedema encompasses…

Angioedema patients in need to emergency care — being treated at a hospital’s emergency department — most often had an attack linked to bradykinin and medications that target this inflammatory molecule, a study from Croatia reports. Such medications, called RAAS blockers, can be used to treat cardiovascular and kidney…

Activase (alteplase), a common treatment for stroke, may trigger angioedema of the mouth and tongue that can lead to a life-threatening situation if not treated promptly, a case report shows. The study, “Angioedema: A Life-threatening Complication of Tissue Plasminogen Activator,” was published in the journal…