American Society of Hirudotherapy

The More Recent History of Hemophilia Treatment.

Review published in Seminars in thrombosis and hemostasis (2022)

Last Updated: June 18, 2026Reviewed by: ASH Editorial Board
Research article — evidence reviewArticle reference
Evidence: Narrative reviewClinical TrialsDrug DevelopmentFranchini M et al. · Seminars in thrombosis and hemostasis, 2022

Abstract

The availability first in the 1970s of plasma-derived and then in the 1990s of recombinant clotting factor concentrates represented a milestone in hemophilia care, enabling not only treatment of episodic bleeding events but also implementation of prophylactic regimens. The treatment of hemophilia has recently reached new landmarks. The traditional clotting factor replacement therapy for hemophilia has been substituted over the last 10 years by novel treatments such as bioengineered factor VIII and IX molecules with extended half-life and non-factor treatments including the bispecific antibody emicizumab. This narrative review is dedicated to these newer therapies, which are contributing significantly to improving the long-term management of prophylaxis in hemophilia patients. Another section is focused on the current state of gene therapy, which is a promising definitive cure for severe hemophilia A and B.

Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.

Publication typeReviewJournal Article
Indexed MeSH termsHumansHemophilia AFactor VIIIBlood Coagulation FactorsHalf-LifeHemostaticsGenetic TherapyFactor IXHemophilia B

Summary

The availability first in the 1970s of plasma-derived and then in the 1990s of recombinant clotting factor concentrates represented a milestone in hemophilia care, enabling not only treatment of episodic bleeding events but also implementation of prophylactic regimens. The treatment of hemophilia has recently reached new landmarks.

Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy

This narrative review chronicles the recent evolution of hemophilia care, from plasma-derived (1970s) and recombinant (1990s) clotting factor concentrates enabling prophylaxis, to extended half-life bioengineered factor VIII and IX molecules, the non-factor bispecific antibody emicizumab, and emerging gene therapy as a possible definitive cure for severe hemophilia A and B. For ASH it usefully illustrates the clotting-factor side of hemostasis, the counterpart to the anticoagulant biology that drives medicinal-leech secretome research, and shows how molecular and biotechnology approaches now dominate coagulation-disorder treatment. As a narrative review of a bleeding disorder it has no direct bearing on leeches or hirudotherapy and reports no leech-related outcomes; it is contextual background on the coagulation system only.

Citation

The More Recent History of Hemophilia Treatment.

Franchini M et al. · Seminars in thrombosis and hemostasis, 2022

Added to ASH library: May 28, 2026 · Site last updated: June 18, 2026

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