Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria Questions & Answers

1. Shah N, Bhatt H. Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria. 2021 Jan. [Medline]. [Full Text].

2. Brodsky RA. Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria. Hoffman R, Benz EJ Jr, Silberstein LE, Heslop HE, Weitz JI, Anastasi J, Salama ME, Abutalib SA, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017. 415-24.

3. DeZern AE, Brodsky RA. Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: a complement-mediated hemolytic anemia. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2015 Jun. 29 (3):479-94. [Medline].

4. Hill A, DeZern AE, Kinoshita T, Brodsky RA. Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017 May 18. 3:17028. [Medline].

5. Roth A, Duhrsen U, Schrezenmeier H, Schubert J. [Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). Pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment]. Dtsch Med Wochenschr. 2009 Feb. 134(9):404-9. [Medline].

6. Merrill SA, Brodsky RA. Complement-driven anemia: more than just paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program. 2018 Nov 30. 2018 (1):371-376. [Medline].

7. Brodsky RA. Complement in hemolytic anemia. Blood. 2015 Nov 26. 126 (22):2459-65. [Medline]. [Full Text].

8. Nagarajan S, Brodsky RA, Young NS, Medof ME. Genetic defects underlying paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria that arises out of aplastic anemia. Blood. 1995 Dec 15. 86(12):4656-61. [Medline]. [Full Text].

9. Parker C. Eculizumab for paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria. Lancet. 2009 Feb 28. 373(9665):759-67. [Medline].

10. Ruiz-Delgado GJ, Vazquez-Garza E, Mendez-Ramirez N, Gomez-Almaguer D. Abnormalities in the expression of CD55 and CD59 surface molecules on peripheral blood cells are not specific to paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Hematology. 2009 Feb. 14(1):33-7. [Medline].

11. Young NS. Hematopoietic cell destruction by immune mechanisms in acquired aplastic anemia. Semin Hematol. 2000 Jan. 37(1):3-14. [Medline].

12. Rother RP, Bell L, Hillmen P, Gladwin MT. The clinical sequelae of intravascular hemolysis and extracellular plasma hemoglobin: a novel mechanism of human disease. JAMA. 2005 Apr 6. 293(13):1653-62. [Medline].

13. Griffin M, Munir T. Management of thrombosis in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: a clinician's guide. Ther Adv Hematol. 2017 Mar. 8 (3):119-126. [Medline]. [Full Text].

14. Rosse W. A new way to prevent thrombosis. Blood. 2007. 110:3821.

15. Shen W, Clemente MJ, Hosono N, Yoshida K, Przychodzen B, Yoshizato T, et al. Deep sequencing reveals stepwise mutation acquisition in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. J Clin Invest. 2014 Oct 1. 124(10):4529-38. [Medline]. [Full Text].

16. Schrezenmeier H, Muus P, Socié G, Szer J, Urbano-Ispizua A, Maciejewski JP, et al. Baseline characteristics and disease burden in patients in the International Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria Registry. Haematologica. 2014 May. 99(5):922-9. [Medline]. [Full Text].

17. Hillmen P, Lewis SM, Bessler M, Luzzatto L, Dacie JV. Natural history of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. N Engl J Med. 1995 Nov 9. 333(19):1253-8. [Medline].

18. Nishimura J, Kanakura Y, Ware RE, et al. Clinical course and flow cytometric analysis of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria in the United States and Japan. Medicine (Baltimore). 2004 May. 83(3):193-207. [Medline].

19. Araten DJ, Thaler HT, Luzzatto L. High incidence of thrombosis in African-American and Latin-American patients with Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria. Thromb Haemost. 2005 Jan. 93(1):88-91. [Medline].

20. Socie G, Mary JY, de Gramont A, et al. Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria: long-term follow-up and prognostic factors. French Society of Haematology. Lancet. 1996 Aug 31. 348(9027):573-7. [Medline].

21. Nishimura J, Kanakura Y, Ware RE, et al. Clinical course and flow cytometric analysis of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria in the United States and Japan. Medicine (Baltimore). 2004 May. 83(3):193-207. [Medline].

22. Parker C, Omine M, Richards S, et al. Diagnosis and management of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Blood. 2005 Dec 1. 106(12):3699-709. [Medline]. [Full Text].

23. Kim JS, Jang JH, Yoon SS, Lee JH, Kim YK, Jo DY, et al. Distinct subgroups of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) with cytopenia: results from South Korean National PNH Registry. Ann Hematol. 2015 Sep 29. [Medline].

24. Dulau-Florea A, Maric I, Calvo KR, Braylan RC. Detection of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) in bone marrow aspirates^☆. Semin Hematol. 2019 Jan. 56 (1):65-68. [Medline].

25. Borowitz MJ, Craig FE, Digiuseppe JA, et al. Guidelines for the diagnosis and monitoring of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and related disorders by flow cytometry. Cytometry B Clin Cytom. 2010 Jul. 78(4):211-30. [Medline].

26. Rosse WF, Dacie JV. The role of complement in the sensitivity of the paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria red cell to immune lysis. Bibl Haematol. 1965. 23:11-8. [Medline].

27. Rosse WF, Dacie JV. Immune lysis of normal human and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) red blood cells. I. The sensitivity of PNH red cells to lysis by complement and specific antibody. J Clin Invest. 1966 May. 45(5):736-48. [Medline]. [Full Text].

28. Rosse WF, Dacie JV. Immune lysis of normal human and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) red blood cells. II. The role of complement components in the increased sensitivity of PNH red cells to immune lysis. J Clin Invest. 1966 May. 45(5):749-57. [Medline]. [Full Text].

29. Brodsky RA. Stem cell transplantation for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Haematologica. 2010 Jun. 95(6):855-6. [Medline]. [Full Text].

30. Cooper JP, Farah RJ, Stevenson PA, Gooley TA, Storb R, Scott BL. Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria in the Age of Eculizumab. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2019 Jul. 25 (7):1331-1339. [Medline]. [Full Text].

31. Ebenbichler CF, Wurzner R, Sandhofer AD, Niederwieser D, Dierich MP, Patsch JR. Anti-thymocyte globulin treatment of a patient for paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria-aplastic anaemia syndrome: complement activation and transient decrease of the PNH clone. Immunobiology. 1996-1997. 196(5):513-21. [Medline].

32. Röth A, Nishimura JI, Nagy Z, et al. The complement C5 inhibitor crovalimab in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Blood. 2020 Mar 19. 135 (12):912-920. [Medline]. [Full Text].

33. Risitano AM, Marotta S. Toward complement inhibition 2.0: Next generation anticomplement agents for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Am J Hematol. 2018 Aug. 93 (4):564-577. [Medline].

34. Notaro R, Sica M. C3-mediated extravascular hemolysis in PNH on eculizumab: Mechanism and clinical implications. Semin Hematol. 2018 Jul. 55 (3):130-135. [Medline].

35. Yuan X, Gavriilaki E, Thanassi JA, Yang G, Baines AC, Podos SD, et al. Small-molecule factor D inhibitors selectively block the alternative pathway of complement in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. Haematologica. 2017 Mar. 102 (3):466-475. [Medline]. [Full Text].

36. Gembillo G, Siligato R, Cernaro V, Santoro D. Complement Inhibition Therapy and Dialytic Strategies in Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria: The Nephrologist's Opinion. J Clin Med. 2020 Apr 26. 9 (5):[Medline]. [Full Text].

37. Lee JW, Sicre de Fontbrune F, Wong Lee Lee L, Pessoa V, Gualandro S, Füreder W, et al. Ravulizumab (ALXN1210) vs eculizumab in adult patients with PNH naive to complement inhibitors: the 301 study. Blood. 2019 Feb 7. 133 (6):530-539. [Medline]. [Full Text].

38. Kulasekararaj AG, Hill A, Rottinghaus ST, Langemeijer S, Wells R, Gonzalez-Fernandez FA, et al. Ravulizumab (ALXN1210) vs eculizumab in C5-inhibitor-experienced adult patients with PNH: the 302 study. Blood. 2019 Feb 7. 133 (6):540-549. [Medline]. [Full Text].

39. Hillmen P, Hall C, Marsh JC, et al. Effect of eculizumab on hemolysis and transfusion requirements in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. N Engl J Med. 2004 Feb 5. 350(6):552-9. [Medline].

40. Hill A, Hillmen P, Richards SJ, et al. Sustained response and long-term safety of eculizumab in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Blood. 2005 Oct 1. 106(7):2559-65. [Medline].

41. Sicre de Fontbrune F, Peffault de Latour R. Ten Years of Clinical Experience With Eculizumab in Patients With Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria. Semin Hematol. 2018 Jul. 55 (3):124-129. [Medline].

42. Kelly RJ, Hill A, Arnold LM, et al. Long-term treatment with eculizumab in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: sustained efficacy and improved survival. Blood. 2011 Jun 23. 117(25):6786-92. [Medline].

43. Peipert JD, Kulasekararaj AG, Gaya A, Langemeijer SMC, Yount S, Gonzalez-Fernandez FA, et al. Patient preferences and quality of life implications of ravulizumab (every 8 weeks) and eculizumab (every 2 weeks) for the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. PLoS One. 2020. 15 (9):e0237497. [Medline]. [Full Text].

44. Brodsky RA, Peffault de Latour R, Rottinghaus ST, Röth A, Risitano AM, Weitz IC, et al. Characterization of breakthrough hemolysis events observed in the phase 3 randomized studies of ravulizumab versus eculizumab in adults with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Haematologica. 2020 Jan 16. [Medline]. [Full Text].

45. Lee JW, Kulasekararaj AG. Ravulizumab for the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Expert Opin Biol Ther. 2020 Mar. 20 (3):227-237. [Medline].

46. Tomazos I, Sierra JR, Johnston KM, Cheung A, Brodsky RA, Weitz IC. Cost burden of breakthrough hemolysis in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria receiving ravulizumab versus eculizumab. Hematology. 2020 Dec. 25 (1):327-334. [Medline]. [Full Text].

47. O'Connell T, Buessing M, Johnson S, Tu L, Thomas SK, Tomazos I. Cost-Utility Analysis of Ravulizumab Compared with Eculizumab in Adult Patients with Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria. Pharmacoeconomics. 2020 Sep. 38 (9):981-994. [Medline].

48. Peipert JD, Kulasekararaj AG, Gaya A, Langemeijer SMC, Yount S, Gonzalez-Fernandez FA, et al. Patient preferences and quality of life implications of ravulizumab (every 8 weeks) and eculizumab (every 2 weeks) for the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. PLoS One. 2020. 15 (9):e0237497. [Medline]. [Full Text].

49. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA approves therapy for pediatric patients with serious rare blood disease. FDA.gov. Available at https://www.fda.gov/drugs/fda-approves-therapy-pediatric-patients-serious-rare-blood-disease. 2021 Jun 07; Accessed: June 25, 2021.

50. Hillmen P, Szer J, Weitz I, Röth A, Höchsmann B, Panse J, et al. Pegcetacoplan versus Eculizumab in Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria. N Engl J Med. 2021 Mar 18. 384 (11):1028-1037. [Medline]. [Full Text].

51. Vaccine Information Statements (VIS):. Serogroup B Meningococcal (MenB) VIS. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/mening-serogroup.html. 8/14/2015; Accessed: June 29, 2016.

52. Alashkar F, Vance C, Herich-Terhürne D, Preising N, Dührsen U, Röth A. Serologic response to meningococcal vaccination in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) chronically treated with the terminal complement inhibitor eculizumab. Ann Hematol. 2017 Apr. 96 (4):589-596. [Medline].

53. Kelly RJ, Hill A, Arnold LM, Brooksbank GL, Richards SJ, Cullen M. Long-term treatment with eculizumab in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: sustained efficacy and improved survival. Blood. 2011 Jun 23. 117(25):6786-92. [Medline].

54. Hillmen P, Muus P, Dührsen U, et al. Effect of the complement inhibitor eculizumab on thromboembolism in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Blood. 2007 Dec 1. 110(12):4123-8. [Medline].

55. van Bijnen ST, Østerud B, Barteling W, Verbeek-Knobbe K, Willemsen M, van Heerde WL, et al. Alterations in markers of coagulation and fibrinolysis in patients with Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria before and during treatment with eculizumab. Thromb Res. 2015 Aug. 136 (2):274-81. [Medline].

56. Brodsky RA, Young NS, Antonioli E, Risitano AM, Schrezenmeier H, Schubert J. Multicenter phase 3 study of the complement inhibitor eculizumab for the treatment of patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Blood. 2008 Feb 15. 111(4):1840-7. [Medline].

57. Hillmen P, Elebute M, Kelly R, et al. Long-term effect of the complement inhibitor eculizumab on kidney function in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Am J Hematol. 2010 Aug. 85(8):553-9. [Medline].

58. Kelly R, Arnold L, Richards S, et al. The management of pregnancy in paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria on long term eculizumab. Br J Haematol. 2010 May. 149(3):446-50. [Medline].

59. Kelly RJ, Höchsmann B, Szer J, Kulasekararaj A, de Guibert S, Röth A, et al. Eculizumab in Pregnant Patients with Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria. N Engl J Med. 2015 Sep 10. 373 (11):1032-9. [Medline].

60. Ravulizumab. 2020 Jul 20. [Medline]. [Full Text].

61. Santarone S, Bacigalupo A, Risitano AM, et al. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: long-term results of a retrospective study on behalf of the Gruppo Italiano Trapianto Midollo Osseo (GITMO). Haematologica. 2010 Jun. 95(6):983-8. [Medline]. [Full Text].

62. Saso R, Marsh J, Cevreska L, Szer J, Gale RP, Rowlings PA. Bone marrow transplants for paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria. Br J Haematol. 1999 Feb. 104(2):392-6. [Medline].

63. Vallet N, et al; Société Francophone de Greffe de Moelle et Thérapie Cellulaire. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria previously treated with eculizumab: a retrospective study of 21 patients from SFGM-TC centers. Haematologica. 2018 Mar. 103 (3):e103-e105. [Medline]. [Full Text].

64. FDA approves ravulizumab-cwvz for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Available at https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resources-information-approved-drugs/fda-approves-ravulizumab-cwvz-paroxysmal-nocturnal-hemoglobinuria. December 26, 2018; Accessed: August 26, 2020.

65. Luzzatto L, Risitano AM, Notaro R. Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and eculizumab. Haematologica. 2010 Apr. 95 (4):523-6. [Medline]. [Full Text].

Emmanuel C Besa, MD Professor Emeritus, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Kimmel Cancer Center, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University

Emmanuel C Besa, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Cancer Education, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American College of Clinical Pharmacology, American Federation for Medical Research, American Society of Hematology, New York Academy of Sciences

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

Marcel E Conrad, MD Distinguished Professor of Medicine (Retired), University of South Alabama College of Medicine

Marcel E Conrad, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Association of Blood Banks, American Chemical Society, American College of Physicians, American Physiological Society, American Society for Clinical Investigation, American Society of Hematology, Association of American Physicians, Association of Military Surgeons of the US, International Society of Hematology, Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, SWOG

Disclosure: Partner received none from No financial interests for none.

Sara J Grethlein, MD, FACP Professor of Clinical Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine; Medical Director of Cancer Services, Indiana University Health, Adult Academic Health Center, IU Simon Cancer and IU North Hospital, Joe and Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center

Sara J Grethlein, MD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Physician Executives, American College of Physicians, American Medical Women's Association, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology, Gold Humanism Honor Society, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

• Print this section
• Print the entire contents of
• Print the entire contents of article