Berinert P Study of Subcutaneous Versus Intravenous Administration

The study is performed to investigate the subcutaneous (s.c.) versus intravenous (i.v.) administration of Berinert P in patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE) to establish a second administration mode in cases where i.v. access is not suitable.

The study is planned as a single centre, randomized, open-label, cross-over pharmacokinetic study.

Subjects will either start with s.c. or i.v. pasteurised C1-Inhibitor concentrate (Berinert P) and than switch to the treatment not administered before.

Patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE), suffer from recurring and mostly unforeseeable attacks of acute oedema of subcutaneous tissues of various organs. The pathophysiological correlate of this disease is a deficiency in functionally active C1-Esterase Inhibitor (C1-INH). Today, two main types of HAE are described. In HAE type I, an impaired synthesis and an elevated turnover of a normal and functional active C1-INH molecule takes place, causing reduced amounts in functionally active C1-INH. In HAE type II, normal levels of a functionally impaired C1-INH molecule are synthesized. Both defects are inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. HAE type III is limited to females and not associated with C1-INH deficiency; the pathophysiology of this type remains to be determined. Corticosteroids, antihistamines or epinephrine usually do not exert any positive effect in acute attacks caused by HAE. This is of particular importance as these types of medication are often used in case of oedema in general. In case of acute oedema in patients suffering from HAE, the intravenous administration of C1-INH concentrate (e.g., Berinert P) is the treatment of choice. The study is performed to investigate the s.c. versus i.v. administration of Berinert P in patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE) to establish a second administration mode in cases where i.v. access is not suitable.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Subjects with an established diagnosis of HAE type I (C1-Inhibitor activity \< 50% and C1-Inhibitor antigen \< 15.4 mg/dl) or HAE type II (C1-Inhibitor activity \< 50% and C1-Inhibitor antigen in normal or elevated concentration of dysfunctional protein).
* Male and female subjects with an age of at least 18 years.
* Subjects providing an informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Subjects without an established diagnosis of HAE.
* Last C1-INH administration less than 7 days ago and/or acute attack.
* Subjects with acquired angioedema (AAE).
* All other types of angioedema not associated with C1-INH deficiency.
* Treatment with any investigational drug (exclusive drugs appropriate for the treatment of acute angioedema) 30 days before study treatment.
* Treatment with any other drug appropriate for the treatment of acute angioedema within 7 days before start of study treatment at each phase.
* Danazol prophylaxis.
* Prophylaxis with antifibrinolytics, EACA, tranexamic acid.
* Subjects with a known hypersensitivity to study medication (Berinert P).
* Pregnant women (pregnancy rapid assay required for women with childbearing potential), women currently breast-feeding, or with the intention to breast-feed
* Subjects with malignant diseases.
* Subjects with immunodeficiencies such as established acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
* Subjects with concurrent serious or acute illness or infection as per investigators judgement.
* Subjects with mental conditions which render the subject or its legally acceptable representative unable to understand the nature, scope and possible consequences of the study.