Intravenous Immunoglobulin

IV IMMUNOGLOBULIN (IVig)as a Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis

What is Immunoglobulin?

Immunoglobulins are proteins or antibodies made by the immune system which protect from infections and diseases. They are collected from donated blood then separated from other agents in the blood and used as a treatment that can be given intravenously once a month.

How it works.

The precise mechanism by which IVig suppresses harmful inflammation is unknown. The donor antibody may bind directly with the abnormal host antibody, stimulating its removal. Alternatively, the massive quantity of antibody may lead to enhanced removal of all antibodies, including the harmful ones. IVig also blocks the antibody receptors on immune cells or macrophages, leading to decreased damage by these cells. In a nutshell, it is believed to calm the Immune System.

How effective is it?

There is little evidence to prove just how effective this is. If it is used for relapsing-remitting MS, there may be less permanent disability after two years of treatment with Immunoglobulin than having been left untreated. However it is believed that the difference may not be much. In one study, some people who had Immunoglobulin over two years saw their level of disability become a bit milder, while people who received placebos saw no change.

With Secondary Progressive MS Immunoglobulin probably will not cut the number of relapses or slow down how fast the symptoms worsen.

In the UK Immunoglobulin is only prescribed by a Neurologist who specialises in this treatment and patients who are offered it usually get it as part of a study or trials.

Can IV Immunoglobulin be harmful?

Serious side effects are rare but a few people are reported to have had meningitis and kidney failure after this treatment.

It may also be dangerous for people who are at risk of getting blood clots. Patients with Secondary Progressive MS are believed to be more at risk of deep vein thrombosis if they have this treatment.

Further information

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/

“At the present time, the evidence for a possible role of IVig in the treatment of MS is limited to relapsing-remitting MS. Clinical trials of IVig in secondary progressive MS are currently underway in Europe and Canada.”

http://www.thisisms.com/

“IV Immunoglobulin (IVig) has yet to take off as a major therapy for MS, but it has shown promise. Here, a study shows that the administration of IVig after the first clinically significant event that might indicate MS reduces the chance of developing a second event.” "Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) has been reported to reduce disease activity in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis...

….Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment for the first year from onset of the first neurological event suggestive of demyelinative disease significantly lowers the incidence of a second attack and reduces disease activity as measured by brain magnetic resonance imaging."

© Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre (MSRC)