Title:Use of Intravenous Immunoglobulin in the Treatment of Immune-Mediated Demyelinating Diseases of the Nervous System
Volume: 18
Issue: 29
Author(s): Alexander Winkelmann and Uwe K. Zettl
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Intravenous immunoglobulin, treatment, immune-mediated demyelinating diseases, side-effects, multiple sclerosis, humoural immunity, First-line therapy, antibody deficiency syndrome, clinical trials, central nervous system.
Abstract: Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) are used in treatment of a broad spectrum of diseases. Immunoglobulin replacement
therapy is the standard treatment for immunodeficiencies with compromised humoural immunity. Use of this method as an
immunomodulating therapy ranges from transplantation and treatment of autoimmune-haematological diseases to treatment of various
neuroimmunological clinical entities. Limited quantitative availability due to dependence on human donors as a source of IVIg, coupled
with high treatment costs, make necessary a highly responsible and evidence-based approach with these agents.
Discussion of the indications and currently valid recommendations on use of IVIg in treatment of immunomediated demyelinating
diseases of the nervous system is based on existing clinical studies.
We describe further neurological indications for use of IVIg as well as mechanisms of action and adverse effects of its use.
