Antibodies against factor VIII in patients with solid tumors: Successful treatment of cancer may suppress inhibitor formation

Between 1995 and 1998, we treated 5 patients with anti-factor VIII antibodi es and spontaneous bleeding. All patients had underlying malignant conditio ns. Initial control of the bleeding episodes and reduction in inhibitor tit er was achieved in all patients. Disappearance of factor VIII inhibitor occ urred in 3 patients after either resection of the tumor or chemotherapy. Im munosuppression therapy failed to eradicate the antibody in 2 patients with metastatic disease. Antibodies against factor VIII appearing in certain pa tients may be directly associated with the underlying malignancy, rather th an a coincidental finding. Attempts to reduce the titer or eradicate the in hibitor may fail if recognition of the underlying condition is not sought, or an appropriate treatment of cancer is not offered.