Project description:Immunoglobulin G (IgG) therapy is an established long-term treatment in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) that is commonly administered intravenously (IVIg). The subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg) administration route is a safe and effective alternative option, approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2018, for maintenance treatment of adults with CIDP. Physicians and patients alike need to be aware of all their treatment options in order to make informed decisions and plan long-term treatment strategies. In this review, we collate the evidence for SCIg in CIDP from all published studies and discuss their implications and translation to clinical practice. We also provide guidance on the practicalities of how and when to transition patients from IVIg to SCIg and ongoing patient support. Evidence suggests that IVIg and SCIg have comparable long-term efficacy in CIDP. However, SCIg can provide additional benefits for some patients, including no requirement for venous access or premedication, and reduced frequency of systemic adverse events. Local-site reactions are more common with SCIg than IVIg, but these are mostly well-tolerated and abate with subsequent infusions. Data suggest that many patients prefer SCIg following transition from IVIg. SCIg preference may be a result of the independence and flexibility associated with self-infusion, whereas IVIg preference may be a result of familiarity and reliance on a healthcare professional for infusions. In practice, individualizing maintenance dosing based on disease behavior and determining the minimally effective IgG dose for individuals are key considerations irrespective of the administration route chosen.
Project description:BackgroundImmunoglobulin (Ig) replacement therapy represents a life-saving treatment in primary antibody deficiencies. The introduction of subcutaneous Ig (SCIg) administration brings a major improvement in quality of life for patients, compared to the traditional intravenous administration. In recent years, an additional role has been proposed for Ig therapy for various inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases. Consequently, the use of SCIg has expanded from immunodeficiencies to immune-mediated diseases, such as polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM). Given the rarity of these conditions, it is still difficult to evaluate the real impact of SCIg treatment on PM and DM, and additional data are constantly required on this topic, particularly for long-term treatments in real-life settings.AimThis study aimed to increase the knowledge about the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of SCIg treatment for myositis. To this aim, a long-term evaluation of the effectiveness of 20% human SCIg treatment (20% SCIg, Hizentra®, CSL Behring) was carried out in patients with PM/DM in care at our Center. In addition, an evaluation of the 20% SCIg therapy in CVID patients was provided. This analysis, beside adding knowledge about the use of SCIg therapy in this real-life setting, was intended as a term of comparison, regarding the safety profile.ResultsResults support the beneficial effect and tolerability of long-term 20% SCIg therapy in PM/DM patients, reporting a significant improvement in creatine kinase levels, muscle strength, skin conditions, dysphagia, disease activity (MITAX score) and disability (HAQ-DI score). None of the patients reported systemic reactions. The duration of the reported local reactions was a few hours in 80% of the patients, and all resolved spontaneously. CVID patients reported an improvement in all the considered effectiveness parameters at the end of 20% SCIg therapy. The frequency of the adverse events reported by PM/DM patients was not different from what reported in CVID patients, where the use of SCIg therapy is more consolidated.ConclusionsThis study suggests that 20% SCIg treatment represents a viable and safe treatment for PM/DM patients and a valid therapeutic alternative to IVIg, with important advantages for patients' quality of life.
Project description:PurposeTo compare the cost of two patient management strategies with similar efficacies for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) patients in the chronic phase: hospital-based IV immunoglobulin G (IVIg) and home-based subcutaneous immunoglobulin G (SCIg) associated with an interprofessional drug therapy management programme (initial training and follow-up).MethodsA 48-week model-based cost-minimization analysis from a societal perspective was performed. Resources included immunoglobulin (IVIg: 1 g/kg/3 weeks; SCIg: 0.4 g/kg/week initially and 0.2 g/kg/week in the maintenance phase), hospital charges, time of professionals, infusion material, transport and losses of productivity for patients. Costs were expressed in Swiss francs (CHF) (1 CHF = 0.93€ = US$1.10, www.xe.com, 2020/10/28).ResultsThe total costs of IVIg were higher than those of SCIg for health insurance and other payers: 114,747 CHF versus 86,558 CHF and 8,762 CHF versus 2,401 CHF, respectively. The results were sensitive to the immunoglobulin doses, as this was the main cost driver. The SCIg daily cost in the initial phase was higher for health insurance than hospital-based IVIg was, but the additional costs were compensated during the maintenance phase (from week 28). The professional costs associated with the switch were not fully covered by the insurance and were borne by the pharmacist and the nurse.ConclusionsSCIg for CIDP patients reinforced by an interprofessional drug therapy management programme may be a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to IVIg in the Swiss system context. From an economic perspective, this therapy alternative should be more widely supported by healthcare systems and proposed to eligible patients by professionals.
Project description:The Facilitated Immunoglobulin Administration Registry And Outcomes (FIGARO) Study was a European, multicenter, prospective, observational study conducted across Europe designed to provide insights on the clinical use and tolerability of facilitated subcutaneous immunoglobulin (fSCIG). Data herein are reported for the cohort of patients with secondary immunodeficiency (SID), with a subgroup analysis by age. The SID cohort included 31 patients: 1 pediatric, 15 adult, and 15 older adult patients. Over the 36-month observation period, the median monthly dose of fSCIG (30 g) and median monthly infusion volume per patient (300 mL) remained constant in both adult-age cohorts. Serum trough levels tended to increase over time. Most patients required only one infusion site and could receive the full dose every 3-4 weeks. There was a trend toward self-administration at home. In the adult group, infusion site inflammation and headache were reported at the inclusion visit (n = 1 each), with no adverse drug reactions reported at any of the follow-up visits. No acute severe bacterial infections were reported during the study follow-up. These results demonstrate the feasibility and tolerability of fSCIG use in patients with SID and the flexibility of administration settings including self-administration at home in patients aged ≥65 years.
Project description:BackgroundAdult antibody deficiency remains under-recognised and under-studied - especially among Asian populations. Patterns of immunoglobulin use and the feasibility of subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg) replacement among Chinese patients remains unclear.ObjectiveTo investigate the trends of immunoglobulin use, burden of adult antibody deficiency and the outcomes of patients on SCIg compared to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) replacement in Hong Kong through a retrospective observational study.MethodsPopulation-wide data of immunoglobulin recipients in Hong Kong between 2012 and 2021, and longitudinal clinical data of adult immunodeficiency patients at Queen Mary Hospital were collected and analysed.ResultsTotal immunoglobulin consumption and recurrent immunoglobulin recipients increased continuously from 175,512g to 298,514g (ρ=0.99, p<0.001) and 886 to 1,508 (ρ=0.89, p=0.001) between 2012-21 in Hong Kong. Among 469 immunoglobulin recipients at Queen Mary Hospital in 2021, 344 (73.3%) were indicated for replacement. Compared to those on IVIg (n=14), patients on SCIg replacement (n=8) had fewer immunodeficiency-related hospitalisations (IRR=0.11) and shorter duration of hospitalisation stay (IRR=0.10) per year, as well as better quality of life (SF-36v2 Health Survey and Life Quality Index). Estimated annual healthcare cost of SCIg replacement per patient was lower than that of IVIg (HKD196,850 [USD25,096] vs HKD222,136 [USD28,319]).ConclusionThere was a significantly increasing burden of adult antibody deficiency and immunoglobulin consumption in Hong Kong. SCIg was feasible and more cost-effective when compared to IVIg, with SCIg patients experiencing better clinical outcomes and quality of life. Future prospective studies to confirm the long-term efficacy and superiority of SCIg are required.
Project description:BackgroundSubcutaneous administration of Ig (SCIg) has gained popularity as an alternative route of administration but has never been rigorously examined in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP).Methods/designThe primary objective of the PATH study (Polyneuropathy and Treatment with Hizentra) is to determine the efficacy of two different doses of SCIg IgPro20 (0.2 g/kg bw or 0.4 g/kg bw) in a 24-week maintenance treatment of CIDP in comparison to placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint will be the proportion of patients who show CIDP relapse (1-point deterioration on the adjusted Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment (INCAT) disability score) or are withdrawn within 24 weeks after randomization for any reason. IVIg-dependent adult patients with definite or probable CIDP according to the European Federation of Neurological Societies/Peripheral Nerve Society who fulfil the inclusion and exclusion criteria will be eligible. Based on sample-size calculation and relapse assumptions in the three arms, a sample size of 58 is needed per arm (overall sample size will be 350, of which 174 will be randomized). All eligible patients will progress through three study periods: an IgG dependency period (≤12 weeks) to select those who are Ig dependent; an IVIg restabilization period (10 or 13 weeks), which will be performed using the 10 % IgPro10 product; and an SC treatment period (24 weeks, followed by a 1-week completion visit after last follow-up). Patients showing IVIg restabilization will be randomized to demonstrate the efficacy of SCIg IgPro20 maintenance treatment over placebo. After completing the study, subjects are eligible to enter a long-term, open-label, extension study of 1 year or return to their previous treatment. In case of CIDP relapse during the 24-week SC treatment period, IgPro10 rescue medication will be offered. Safety, tolerability, and patients' preference of Ig administration route will be examined.DiscussionThe PATH trial, which started in March 2012, is expected to finish at the end of 2016. The results will increase knowledge about the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of SCIg in maintenance management of CIDP patients.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01545076 . Registered on 1 March 2012.
Project description:AimsSporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM) is the most common late onset muscle disease causing progressive weakness. In light of the lack of effective treatment, we investigated potential causes underlying muscle wasting. We hypothesized that accumulation of mitochondrial respiratory deficiency in muscle fibres may lead to fibre atrophy and degeneration, contributing to muscle mass reduction.MethodsHistochemical and immunohistochemical analyses were performed on muscle biopsies from 16 sIBM patients to detect activity of mitochondrial enzymes and expression of mitochondrial respiratory chain proteins along with inflammatory markers respectively. Mitochondrial DNA mutations were assessed in single muscle fibres using real-time PCR.ResultsWe identified respiratory-deficient fibres at different stages of mitochondrial dysfunction, with downregulated expression of complex I of mitochondrial respiratory chain being the initial feature. We detected mitochondrial DNA rearrangements in the majority of individual respiratory-deficient muscle fibres. There was a strong correlation between number of T lymphocytes and macrophages residing in muscle tissue and the abundance of respiratory-deficient fibres. Moreover, we found that respiratory-deficient muscle fibres were more likely to be atrophic compared with respiratory-normal counterparts.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction has a role in sIBM progression. A strong correlation between the severity of inflammation, degree of mitochondrial changes and atrophy implicated existence of a mechanistic link between these three parameters. We propose a role for inflammatory cells in the initiation of mitochondrial DNA damage, which when accumulated, causes respiratory dysfunction, fibre atrophy and ultimately degeneration of muscle fibres.
Project description:PurposeThe safety and efficacy of subcutaneous immune globulin 20% (human) solution (Ig20Gly) were demonstrated in clinical trials. However, real-world evidence of the tolerability of self-administered Ig20Gly in elderly patients is lacking. We describe real-world patterns of Ig20Gly usage for 12 months in patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDD) in the USA.MethodsThis retrospective chart review of longitudinal data from 2 centers included patients aged ≥ 2 years with PIDD. Ig20Gly administration parameters, tolerability, and usage patterns were assessed at initial and subsequent 6- and 12-month infusions.ResultsOf 47 enrolled patients, 30 (63.8%) received immunoglobulin replacement therapy (IGRT) within 12 months before starting Ig20Gly, and 17 (36.2%) started IGRT de novo. Patients were predominantly White (89.1%), female (85.1%), and elderly (aged > 65 years, 68.1%; median age = 71.0 years). Most adults received at-home treatment during the study, and most self-administered at 6 months (90.0%) and 12 months (88.2%). Across all time points, infusions were administered at a mean rate of 60-90 mL/h/infusion, using a mean of 2 sites per infusion, on a weekly or biweekly frequency. No emergency department visits occurred, and hospital visits were rare (n = 1). Forty-six adverse drug reactions occurred in 36.4% of adults, mostly localized site reactions; none of these or any adverse events led to treatment discontinuation.ConclusionThese findings demonstrate tolerability and successful self-administration of Ig20Gly in PIDD, including elderly patients and patients starting IGRT de novo.
Project description:PurposeThe FIGARO study aims to provide insights on real-world utilization and tolerability of facilitated subcutaneous immunoglobulin (fSCIG) for primary immunodeficiency disease (PID) or secondary immunodeficiency disease (SID).MethodsThis prospective, multicenter, observational study, evaluated medical records, charts, and diaries of patients who had received at least 1 fSCIG infusion for PID or SID. Data were analyzed by cohort (PID, SID) and age groups (pediatric [< 18 years], adult [18-64 years], older adult [≥ 65 years]). Patients were followed up to 36 months.ResultsThe study enrolled 156 patients: 15 pediatric, 120 adult, 21 older-adult. Twelve-month follow-up data were available for 128 patients. fSCIG was mainly prescribed for PID among patients aged < 65 years and for SID among older adults. At inclusion, 75.6% received their fSCIG infusion at home, and 78.7% self-administered. Adults were more likely to receive their initial infusion at home and self-administer (81.7% and 86.6%, respectively) than pediatric patients (53.3% each) and older adults (57.1% and 52.4%, respectively). At 12 months, the proportion of patients infusing at home and self-administering increased to 85.8% and 88.2%. Regardless of age, most patients self-administered the full fSCIG dose at home every 3-4 weeks and required a single infusion site. The tolerability profile was consistent with previous pivotal trials. Acute severe bacterial infections occurred in 0%-9.1% of patients during follow-up visits (full cohort).ConclusionsFIGARO confirms the feasibility, tolerability, and good infection control of fSCIG in PID and SID patients across the age spectrum in both the home-setting and medical facility.Trial registration numberClinicalTrials.gov NCT03054181.