IVIG Therapy

Carol L. Koski, M.D., Principal Author

IVIG is a plasma derived product prepared by extracting the antibodies from the pooled plasma from several donors and purified so that it can be administered intravenously. This product has proved to be effective in several immune system disorders, including nearly all autoimmune neuropathies such as CIDP and GBS.

IVIG exerts multiple actions on the body's immunoregulatory network that operate in conjunction with each other. (Dalakas, 2004) These actions include:

1. modulating pathogenic autoantibodies,
2. suppressing idiotypic antibody,
3. upreguating Inhibitory FcγR on macrophages to inhibit phagocytosis and decrease TNF-alpha production (Nimmerjahn, 2007), and
4. suppressing various inflammatory mediators (including cytokines, chemokines, and metalloproteinases). (Dalakas, 2004; Dalakas, 2002)

More Information on IVIG Therapy

• Properties, Activity & Composition of IVIG
• IVIG Trials
• Dosing & Administration of IVIG
• Patient Risk Assessment
• Cost-Benefit of IVIG

Related Treatment Issues

• See IVIG Treatment Issues.