title: Intravenous immunoglobulin in neurology--mode of action and clinical efficacy.
abstract: Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg)-a preparation of polyclonal serum IgG pooled from thousands of blood donors-has been used for nearly three decades, and is proving to be an efficient anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory treatment for a growing number of neurological diseases. Evidence from controlled clinical trials has established IVIg as a first-line therapy for Guillain-Barré syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy and multifocal motor neuropathy. IVIg is also an effective rescue therapy in some patients with worsening myasthenia gravis, and is beneficial as a second-line therapy for dermatomyositis and stiff-person syndrome. IVIg has been tested in some neurodegenerative disorders, but a controlled study in Alzheimer disease yielded disappointing results. Despite its widespread use and therapeutic success, the mechanisms of action of IVIg are poorly understood. Several hypotheses, based on the function of either the variable or constant IgG fragments, have been proposed to explain IVIg's immunomodulatory activity. This Review highlights emerging data on the mechanisms of action of IVIg related to its anti-inflammatory activity, especially that involving the cellular Fcγ receptors and Fc glycosylation. We also summarize recent trials in neurological diseases, discuss potential biomarkers of efficacy, offer practical guidelines on administration, and provide a rationale for experimental trials in neuroinflammatory disorders.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Experimental Immunology, Department of Neuroinflammation, University of Zürich, Winterthurer Strasse 190, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Jan D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Lünemann
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Institute of Genetics, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erwin-Rommelstrasse 3, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Falk
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nimmerjahn
authors.affiliation: Neuroimmunology Unit, University of Athens Medical School, Mikras Asias 75, Athens 115 27, Greece.
authors.forename: Marinos C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Dalakas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051379:Mice; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009462:Neurology / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous