Therapeutic use of immunoglobulins

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Immunoglobulins are among the basic components of a specific immune response.

Distribution of immunoglobulins used[edit | edit source]

  • homologous immunoglobulins - obtained from the plasma of healthy donors. They are divided into:
    • polyclonal antibodies,
    • monoclonal antibodies.
      • examples: Zevalin (non-Hodgkin's lymphoma), Rituximab (lymphomas), Infliximab (Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis)
  • heterologous immunoglobulins - derived from the plasma of immunized animals

Use of immunoglobulins in medicine[edit | edit source]

Substitution therapy[edit | edit source]

When immunoglobulins are deficient or dysfunctional, they need to be substituted to boost the body's immunity. Diseases in which immunoglobulin substitution is used:

  • secondary immunodeficiencies - reduced immune response of the body due to other causes (diseases, immunosuppressive drugs... ). Of the secondary immunodeficiencies, replacement therapy is most commonly used for:

It is essential to treat and address the primary cause. In secondary immunodeficiencies, immunoglobulins are only substituted for a period of time until the desired level is reached. Other such diseases where Ig substitution is used include:

Immunomodulatory therapy[edit | edit source]

Immunomodulatory therapy is mainly used in the treatment of autoimmune neuromuscular diseases in which an autoimmune process causes progressive damage to peripheral nerves, neuromuscular discs or striated muscles. Application:

Other uses[edit | edit source]

Immunoglobulins are being used more and more nowadays. Their other uses are, for example, in septic conditions or transplantation.

Ways of application[edit | edit source]

Subcutaneous[edit | edit source]

The advantage of subcutaneous administration is the possibility of administration in the home environment. The rate of administration should be max 30 ml/hr, administered max 90 min. It is necessary that the distance between the two application sites is min 5 cm.

Intramuscular[edit | edit source]

Disadvantages are slow absorption, pain and inability to administer high concentrations. For amounts greater than 5 ml, the dose should be divided into multiple sites.

Intravenous[edit | edit source]

For intravenous administration, a visit to a healthcare facility is required. The advantage is the ability to administer higher doses. It is mainly used in the elderly and in patients where frequent applications are inconvenient.

The difference between SCIG or i.m. administered IG and IVIG is the presence of immunocomplexes and the limiting IgA concentration. There is a risk of shock with i.v. administration.

Adverse effects[edit | edit source]

Immunoglobulins, like any medication, can cause adverse effects up to a life-threatening condition. They can be:

  • immediate - reminiscent of flu symptoms (headache, muscle pain, nausea, malaise...),
  • late - rare effects (renal failure, thromboembolism, neutropenia... ),
  • up to anaphylactic reaction - administer adrenaline in combination with hydrocortisone.


Links[edit | edit source]

Related articles[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

  • HOŘEJŠÍ, Václav – BARTŮŇKOVÁ, Jiřina. Základy imunologie. 3. edition. Praha : Triton, 2005. ISBN 80-7254-686-4.