Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria is characterized by red blood cell destruction, anemia (red blood cells unable to carry enough oxygen to tissues), blood clots, and impaired bone marrow function (not making enough blood cells).[9] In paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, proteins known as the 'complement system', which is part of the immune system, become overactive because of a genetic mutation and start to attack the patients' own red blood cells.[8] Ravulizumab, is a monoclonal antibody (a type of protein) designed to attach to the C5 protein, which is part of the complement system.[8] By attaching to the C5 protein, the medicine blocks its effect and thereby reduces the destruction of red blood cells.[8]
Medical uses
In the United States, ravulizumab is indicated for the treatment of adults and children one month of age and older with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and for the treatment of adults and children one month of age and older with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) to inhibit complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA).[7][9]
In the European Union, ravulizumab is indicated in the treatment of adults with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria:
in people with haemolysis with clinical symptom(s) indicative of high disease activity[8]
in people who are clinically stable after having been treated with eculizumab for at least the past six months.[8]
^ abcdefghij"Ultomiris EPAR". European Medicines Agency (EMA). 24 April 2019. Retrieved 1 May 2020. Text was copied from this source which is copyright European Medicines Agency. Reproduction is authorized provided the source is acknowledged.
^World Health Organization (2018). "International nonproprietary names for pharmaceutical substances (INN): recommended INN: list 79". WHO Drug Information. 32 (1). hdl:10665/330941.