In vitro characterization of commercial Factor VIII concentrates: long-term follow-up.

Fifty batches of Factor VIII concentrates from 12 producers were characterized in a long-term follow-up. The following parameters were measured: Factor VIII: C, Factor VIIIR: AG, Factor VIII: Rcof, specific activity (U Factor VIII: C/mg protein), fibrinogen, IgG, IgM, IgA, isoagglutinins, Hbs-AG, heparin-like activity, thrombin-like activity, antithrombin III, Factor VIII-stability at room temperature, and the rate of complete dissolution of the lyophilizate. In most preparations there was an unacceptable batch-to-batch variation of both Factor VIII complex and contaminating proteins, which exceeded the inter-assay coefficient of variation of the applied test systems. Nevertheless, different brands could be recognized by their typical protein pattern. The results obtained suggest that the standardization of Factor VIII concentrates of unknown composition is still accompanied by considerable risks.