Antibody replacement therapy in primary antibody deficiencies and iatrogenic hypogammaglobulinemia

Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 2015;11(8):921-33. doi: 10.1586/1744666X.2015.1049599.

Abstract

Antibody replacement therapy has been used in the treatment of primary antibody deficiencies (PADs) for several decades, and an evidence-based guideline for its treatment is currently available. By contrast, the use of antibody replacement therapy in iatrogenic hypogammaglobulinemia (IHG), a condition that is associated with immunosuppressive medication, has hardly any evidence base and no guidelines. As IHG can be equally as severe as PAD and is much more prevalent, evidence-based guidelines are urgently needed. This review will focus on the differences and similarities between PAD and IHG and the use of antibody replacement therapy in both conditions. Suggestions for the development of evidence-based guidelines and future research are given.

Keywords: antibody replacement therapy; iatrogenic hypogammaglobulinemia; immunodeficiency; immunoglobulin; primary antibody deficiency.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Agammaglobulinemia / etiology
  • Agammaglobulinemia / immunology
  • Agammaglobulinemia / therapy*
  • Animals
  • Antibodies / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Iatrogenic Disease
  • Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / immunology
  • Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / therapy*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Immunosuppressive Agents