Palivizumab: where to from here?
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of respiratory tract infections. In severely immunosuppressed patients RSV can cause significant morbidity and mortality. The only FDA-approved drug for RSV is aerosolized ribavirin. Given the high morbidity and mortality in high-risk populations and inconsistent results with aerosolized ribavirin, new strategies for prevention and treatment of RSV are being sought. Palivizumab is an RSV-specific monoclonal antibody. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter study showed significant reduction in hospitalization rates among children at high risk of RSV infection who had been given prophylactic palivizumab; these findings led to palivizumab's approval by the FDA in June 1998. Palivizumab also has a role in prevention of severe respiratory tract infections in high-risk infants. In immunocompromised patients, palivizumab has an excellent safety profile and may be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of RSV infections; however, clinical trials are needed to determine its effectiveness. In this article, we review the role of palivizumab in prevention and treatment of RSV infections in immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients.
Georgescu
Georgiana
G
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Chemaly
Roy F
RF
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D000069455:Palivizumab; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000069455:Palivizumab