Recombinant factor XIII (rFXIII): a novel treatment of congenital factor XIII deficiency

2015 Factor XIII (FXIII) is composed of two catalytic A subunits and two carrier B subunits. Following activation by thrombin FXIII becomes plasma transglutaminase, which crosslinks the γ-glutamyl-ɛ-lysine residues of fibrin chains stabilizing fibrin clot. Congenital deficiency of factor XIII results in a severe life-long hemorrhagic disorder, abnormal wound healing in about 30% of patients and recurrent abortions. Most of the FXIII deficiency patients have mutations in the F13A gene. Only few mutations in F13B gene have been published. Plasma-derived concentrate of factor XIII used to be the treatment of choice. Recently, recombinant FXIII concentrate has been developed and tested in multinational clinical studies. This new product appears to be safe and appropriate for life-long prophylactic treatment of patients with FXIII A deficiency.