FcRn Antagonists: A Panoply of Autoimmune Disorders Now in the Development Pipeline
Specifically designed to blockade the physiologic IgG recycling function of endothelial cell neonatal crystallizable fragment receptor (FcRn), FcRn antagonists represent a new class of monoclonal antibody-based drugs that have been shown to mediate a sharp, dose-dependent reduction in circulation IgG levels.
Message for At-Risk Adults: Flu Vaccination Will Reduce Your Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Death
With influenza apparently returning with a vengeance this season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is once again alerting the public that vaccination is the most effective way to prevent infection from and to minimize risk of severe symptoms and hospitalization for serious flu-related complications.
High-Dose IVIG Effective in Painful Diabetic Polyneuropathy Resistant to Conventional Treatments
Italian investigators conducted a trial to assess the safety and efficacy of IVIG in treatment-resistant painful diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN).
COVID-19 Infection Alters Pregnant Mothers’ and Their Newborns’ Immunity
Investigators found COVID-19 infection altered the mothers’ immunity at delivery, and gestational COVID-19 exposure alters the immunity of newborns.
Study Shows COVID-19 Infection Correlates with Autoimmune Markers
A new study demonstrates how severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus disease 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection could be associated with an autoimmune response and development of autoantibodies.
Transition from Clinic- to Home-Based IVIG/SCIG Is Successful to Decrease Exposure to COVID-19
Transition of clinic-based to home-based intravenous immune globulin (IVIG)/subcutaneous IG (SCIG) infusion can be successfully done to decrease potential exposure during a pandemic in a high-risk immunosuppressed population.
IVIG Plus Glucocorticoids Effective for Treating COVID-19 Pediatric Syndrome
A large multicenter clinical trial has found intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) plus glucocorticoids may be better than IVIG alone for treating multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) caused by COVID-19.
Studies Reveal Antibody Responses of Pregnant Women Infected with SARS-CoV-2
Two recent studies effectively determined the antibody responses of pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 and the effect of the fetal sex on those responses, as well as the direct clinical implications for COVID-19 infection and future maternal-fetal vaccination strategies.
Gene Therapy for Hemoglobinopathies
New clinical studies show gene therapy may offer a cure for these chronic and expensive diseases in five to 10 years.
High Oncotic Pressure Cardiopulmonary Bypass Priming with Human Albumin Improves Outcomes in Pediatric Open-Heart Surgery
Specialists at India’s Sir Ganga Ram Hospital conducted a double-blinded, randomized controlled study to examine the impact of high oncotic pressure priming by the addition of 20 percent human albumin prior to the initiation of CPB