C1-esterase inhibitor (Cinryze) use in the treatment of pediatric hereditary angioedema.

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare genetic disease resulting in unpredictable and potentially life-threatening subcutaneous and submucosal attacks mediated by the vasoactive peptide, bradykinin. HAE often presents within the first or second decade of life, with attacks increasing in both frequency and severity over time. First-line therapies exert their action by replacing C1 inhibitor (C1-INH) or via blocking the production or function of bradykinin. Cinryze is a nanofiltered C1-INH, approved in Europe for the acute treatment, preprocedure prevention and routine prophylaxis of HAE attacks, and for routine prophylaxis of attacks in the USA. Of the current C1-INH preparations available, Cinryze shows particular promise in the safe and effective treatment and prophylaxis of HAE attacks in pediatric age patients.