Use of intravenous gamma globulins in neuroimmunologic diseases.

Abstract

Intravenous gamma globulin (IVIg) is used in the treatment of immunologic diseases that affect the entire neuroaxis, including the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, muscles, and neuromuscular junction. The panel reviewed the available literature on the use of IVIg in order to evaluate the efficacy of this therapy in neuroimmunologic diseases. In prospective, rigorously controlled, double-blinded clinical trials, IVIg was found to have proven efficacy in the Guillain-Barré syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, multifocal motor neuropathy, dermatomyositis, and Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome. It was found to be probably effective in myasthenia gravis and polymyositis, and possibly effective in several other neuroimmunologic diseases. Further studies are needed to evaluate the use of IVIg for neuroimmunologic diseases in which its efficacy is suspected but not proven and to elucidate its mechanisms of action.

• Authors: N Latov, V Chaudhry, C L Koski, R P Lisak, B R Apatoff, A F Hahn, J F Howard Jr
• Journal: The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology (J Allergy Clin Immunol) Vol. 108 Issue 4 Suppl Pg. S126-32 (Oct 2001) ISSN: 0091-6749 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11586280 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Immunoglobulins, Intravenous

Topics

• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Humans
• Immune System Diseases (therapy)
• Immunoglobulins, Intravenous (therapeutic use)
• Nervous System Diseases (therapy)