Desensitization Therapy with Intravenous Gammaglobulin (IVIG): Transplant

Re: Question about: antibodies from Riki in another thread.

Trans Am Clin Climatol Assoc. 2006; 117: 199–211.
PMCID: PMC1500934
Copyright © 2006 The American Clinical and Climatological Association
Desensitization Therapy with Intravenous Gammaglobulin (IVIG): Applications in Solid Organ Transplantation
Stanley C Jordan, M.D,1,3 Ashley Vo, PHARM. D,1 Dolly Tyan, PHD,2 and Mieko Toyota, PHD3 by invitation
1From the Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
2Transplantation and Immunogenetics Laboratory, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
3Transplant Immunology Laboratory, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Address for reprints: Stanley C. Jordan, M.D., Director, Pediatric Nephrology & Transplant Immunology Medical Director, Renal Transplant Program, Professor of Pediatrics, UCLA, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8635 W. 3rd St., Suite 590W, Los Angeles, CA 90048
This article has been cited by other articles in PMC.
Abstract
Intravenous immunoglobulin products (IVIG) are derived from pooled human plasma and have been used for the treatment of primary immunodeficiency disorders for more than 24 years. Shortly after their introduction, IVIG products were found to be effective in the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. Over the past 2 decades, the list of diseases where IVIG has a demonstrable beneficial effect has grown rapidly. These include inflammatory diseases such as Kawasaki disease, Guillain-Barre syndrome, myasthenia gravis, dermatomyositis and demyelinating polyneuropathy. Recently, we have described a beneficial effect on the reduction of anti-HLA antibodies with subsequent improvement in rates of transplantation for highly human leukocyte antigen (HLA) sensitized patients as well as a potent anti-inflammatory effect that is beneficial in the treatment of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). These advancements have enabled transplantation of patients previously considered untransplantable and in concert with new diagnostic techniques has resulted in new approaches to management of AMR.

Here is the link to the full article http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1500934/

Keep in mind that hospitals here have not recommended this for Jenna because she is so young, and they don't know long term what the effects are. However, that being said, she is going to have greater difficulty since her PRA is very high due to the current transplant, so I don't know if she'll be able to find a match.