City of Hope is one of approximately 145 federally funded comprehensive hemophilia treatment centers in the U.S. For patients with hemophilia and other inherited coagulation disorders, we provide consultations to hematologists and oncologists, pediatricians, pediatric surgeons, dentists and ob/gyns. 

Our areas of expertise include:

• Inhibitors in hemophilia A and B
• Risk factors for and prevention of inhibitor formation
• Early diagnosis of inhibitors
• Treatment of bleeding in patients with inhibitors
• Prophylaxis to prevent bleeding and preserve joint health
• Inhibitor eradication using ITI (immune tolerance induction)

WHAT IS HEMOPHILIA?

Hemophilia is a bleeding disorder where the patient’s blood does not clot properly, causing excessive and abnormal bleeding either spontaneously or due to injury.

The two most common types of hemophilia are hemophilia A and hemophilia B. Hemophilia A occurs when factor VIII, a blood clotting protein, is either missing or defective. Hemophilia B is a genetic disorder caused by a mutation of the factor IX gene, another blood clotting protein.

Approximately 20,000 people in the United States have hemophilia.

TREATING HEMOPHILIA

Our hemophilia program offers both outstanding medical treatment and supportive care to young patients and their family members. Our medical team collaborates to develop an effective treatment plan, while professionals in nursing, psychology, social work, physical, occupational and recreational therapy, and school reintegration specialists provide individual attention and group activities for patients and their families.

We treat patients until they turn 30 years old, at which time we work closely with other hemophilia treatment centers to transition them to centers that can continue their treatment through adulthood. 

At City of Hope, our medical staff features years of experience and world-renowned expertise in replacement therapy, the main form of treatment for hemophilia. In addition to this treatment modality, we are also researching new and innovative ways to treat this disease.