FEIBA: mode of action.

FEIBA (factor eight inhibitor bypassing activity) has a history of more than 30 years of successful use in controlling bleeding in haemophilic patients who have developed inhibitory antibodies against factor (F)VIII or FIX. Recently it was shown that FEIBA contains the proenzymes of the prothrombin complex factors, prothrombin, FVII, FIX and FX, but only very small amounts of their activation products, with the exception of FVIIa, which is contained in FEIBA in greater amounts. FEIBA controls bleeding by induction and facilitation of thrombin generation, a process for which FV is crucial. A number of biochemical in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that FXa and prothrombin play a critical role in the activity of FEIBA. Consequently, they are considered to be key components of this product. The prothrombinase complex has been found to be a major target site for FEIBA. Apart from prothrombin and FXa, FEIBA contains other proteins of the prothrombin complex, which could also facilitate haemostasis in haemophilia patients with inhibitors.