The physician's perspective on the use of immunoglobulins: Advantages and limits of the immunoglobulin therapy

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Quinti, Isabella | Cagliuso, Maria | Fiorilli, Massimo

Affiliations: Department Of Clinical Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy

Note: [] Correspondence: Isabella Quinti, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy. Tel.: +39 06 49972007; Fax: +39 06 4463877; E-mail: isabella.quinti@uniroma1.it

Abstract: Medical knowledge on the clinical investigation of human normal immunoglobulin for intravenous administration and treatment regimens are in a state of continuous development. Due to recent achievements, the question arises whether the currently established indications and their respective posologies might require modification to more adequately reflect current clinical practice with intravenous or subcutaneous immunoglobulins as substitutive therapy in patients affected by primary and secondary immunodeficiencies and as immunomodulators in patients affected by autoimmune disorders. In addition, immunoglobulin therapies used "off label" have proved beneficial and other possible inclusion will be expected in the next future. In this review we will identify the clinical and immunological benefits and limits of imunoglobulin treatments and outline the physician's persepective on this topic.

Journal: Pharmaceuticals, Policy and Law, vol. 7, no. 0, pp. 125-133, 2006