The OSUCCC – James leads some of the world’s most advanced, sophisticated clinical trials for blood disorders.
The nationally and internationally renowned subspecialists at the OSUCCC – James understand that blood disorders like von Willebrand disease are highly complex.
Because of that understanding, the most effective means of treating patients come from an expert team approach from across multiple medical disciplines. These teams run groundbreaking studies, and through detailed observations, evaluate the latest treatments and targeted therapies.
Our team of experts analyzes the genetic composition of each individual’s type of blood disorder to determine the best possible treatment, offering improved outcomes, faster responses and fewer side effects.
If you’ve been diagnosed with von Willebrand disease, would like a second opinion or would like to speak with a blood disorder specialist, please call The James Line at 800-293-5066 or 614-293-5066 to make an appointment.
Treatment for von Willebrand Disease
The internationally recognized experts at the OSUCCC – James believe the best way to treat patients and manage their disease successfully is to be at the forefront of delivering the latest, most effective treatments available and by working with nationally and internationally renowned experts to develop the newest von Willebrand disease treatments and programs.
Von Willebrand disease treatments are based on the type and severity of VWD. Most people have mild VWD and require treatment only when they have a planned surgery or tooth extraction or if they have an accident that causes bleeding.
Patients with more severe VWD require specialized treatment. This can include:
Nonreplacement Therapy
By using a man-made hormone called desmopressin, the body will release more von Willebrand factor and factor VIII into the bloodstream, which will increase blood clotting abilities. The treatment, which is offered by injection or nasal spray, works for most patients with Type 1 VWD and some patients with Type 2 VWD.
Factor Replacement Therapy
Patients with Type 2 or Type 3 VWD may need a treatment called von Willebrand factor Replacement Therapy. These patients receive an infusion of the concentrated von Willebrand factor and factor VIII into a vein in their arm.
Patients who can’t take desmopressin or don’t respond to it, even if they have Type 1 VWD, also may have the factor replacement therapy.
Other Therapies
Other therapy options include:
Antifibrinolytic Medicine
These medicines help prevent blood clots from breaking down, and they’re used in patients with various VWD types when they have minor surgeries, tooth extractions or an injury. The medicines may be used alone or along with desmopressin or factor replacement therapy.
Fibrin Glue
This medicine is placed directly on a wound to stop the bleeding.
Treatments for Women
Women who have heavy menstrual bleeding because of von Willebrand disease may also have additional treatments. These can include:
Birth Control Pills
Hormones in birth control pills can increase the amount of factor VIII and von Willebrand factor in the blood, which can reduce menstrual blood loss.
Levonorgestrel Intrauterine Device
This birth control device contains the hormone progestin, and it can be placed in the uterus.
Aminocaproic Acid or Rranexamic Acid
These are antifibrinolytic medicines that can reduce bleeding by slowing the breakdown of blood clots.
Women also may receive desmopressin therapy. If a woman is finished having children or plans not to have children, she might choose endometrial ablation, a procedure that destroys the lining of the uterus, which reduces menstrual blood loss in women who have VWD.
(Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)
Von Willebrand Disease Research and Clinical Trials
For blood disorder patients, clinical trials mean hope.
The OSUCCC – James has more than 500 open clinical trials at any given time, with some of the world’s latest discoveries available to clinical trial patients right here in Columbus, Ohio. In fact, patients have access to more of this nation’s leading-edge, targeted treatments and drugs than at most hospitals in America.
One such breakthrough is the development of a synthetic von Willebrand factor which would eliminate the possible although very small risk of transmitting viral agents.
If you’ve been diagnosed with von Willebrand disease, would like a second opinion or would like to speak with a blood disorder specialist, please call The James Line at 800-293-5066 or 614-293-5066 to make an appointment.
Who Should Participate in a Clinical Trial?
Patients can enter clinical trials before, during or after starting their individual treatments.
The OSUCCC – James is one of only a few U.S. cancer centers funded by the National Cancer Institute to conduct phase I and phase II clinical trials on novel anticancer drugs. These trials go only to centers that demonstrate an exemplary capacity for research and clinical care, the expertise to deliver the latest in treatments, and the infrastructure to interpret and track treatment results.
If you’ve been diagnosed with von Willebrand disease or another blood disorder, would like a second opinion, would like more information on available clinical trials or would like to speak with a blood disorder specialist, please call The James Line at 800-293-5066 or 614-293-5066 to make an appointment.