title: Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin Use in Inclusion Body Myositis: A Review of 6 Cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is a slowly progressive degenerative inflammatory disorder affecting both proximal and distal muscles. Immunosuppressive therapies are generally ineffective in the treatment of this disorder, and most patients are resistant to steroid therapy. Some benefits with mild improvement were observed with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), particularly in patients with severe dysphagia.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this review was to describe the use of subcutaneous Ig (SCIg) in patients with IBM and to assess its feasibility.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This report reviews 6 cases of IBM treated with SCIg in clinical practice. All patients had received prior treatments for IBM, including immunosuppressive agents and IVIg. SCIg was administered over a long period of time, ranging from 4.5 to 27 months. No patient discontinued the SCIg because of a treatment-related event or safety issues. The 6 cases showed an improvement in muscle strength and resolution of dysphagia. For 2 patients, this improvement persisted for approximately 12 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SCIg might be proposed as an alternative therapy to patients with IBM who are resistant to corticoids and immunosuppressive therapies. Our findings suggest that treatment with SCIg (Gammanorm 16.5%, Octapharma AB) is feasible and safe in patients with IBM.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Pitié-Salpetrière Hospital Group, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cherin
authors.affiliation: Octapharma, Boulogne-Billancourt, France.
authors.forename: Jean-Christophe
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Delain
authors.affiliation: Institut de Médecine et Physiologie de la Longévité, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de Jaeger
authors.affiliation: Octapharma, Boulogne-Billancourt, France.
authors.forename: Jean-Charles
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Crave
keywords: Biopsy; Corticosteroid; Immunoglobulin; Inclusion body myositis; Muscle weakness; Subcutaneous immunoglobulins