Evoluzione dei trattamenti per l’angioedema ereditarioin Italia: utilizzo del lanadelumab nella pratica clinica

Introduction: Hereditary angioedema (HEA) is a rare genetic disorder characterised by recurrent episodes of
edema affecting various body districts. HEA therapy includes treatment of acute attacks and short- or long-term
prophylaxis.
Objective: To describe the main demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with HEA in real Italian clinical
practice, as well as the use of pharmacological treatments, the use of healthcare resources and costs with
particular reference to lanadelumab.
Methods: From administrative databases of healthcare institutions for about 9 million patients, between January
2010 and September 2020, all-age HEA patients were identified through hospitalisation, exemption code or specific
drugs. Demographic and clinical characteristics, medications prescribed for acute attacks and prophylaxis
were described at inclusion. For patients treated with lanadelumab, the switching of dosing regimen from 2 to 4
weeks was examined. Healthcare resource utilisation and costs were assessed at one-year follow-up.
Results: 258 patients with HEA were identified (~0.003% of the sample). Of them, 41.1% were male, and the
mean age was 44.6 years; 80% of patients were treated for acute attacks, and 20% were on prophylaxis. In
lanadelumab-treated, 85% started treatment with a 2-week regimen, and of them 75.8% switched to a 4-week
regimen. For these patients, the estimated annual cost—calculated using the weighted average of patients who
switched treatments—was €114,362.
Conclusions: The data from this analysis on therapeutic management of HEA patients in the Italian clinical practice
showed that, despite the limited number of patients treated with lanadelumab, many received one administration
every 4 weeks, suggesting a good disease control.