10.08.2013 Views

The report is available in English with a French summary - KCE

The report is available in English with a French summary - KCE

The report is available in English with a French summary - KCE

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

<strong>KCE</strong> Reports 120 Plasma 49<br />

3.2.2 Evidence review on immunoglobul<strong>in</strong> effectiveness<br />

3.2.2.1 Background<br />

3.2.2.2 Methods<br />

<strong>The</strong> mechan<strong>is</strong>ms of action of polyvalent immunoglobul<strong>in</strong>s (IG) are complex and not<br />

totally elucidated today, aside of their use <strong>in</strong> correct<strong>in</strong>g immunodeficiencies. In<br />

immunodeficiency d<strong>is</strong>eases, polyvalent IG <strong>is</strong> given to restore normal humoral immune<br />

function by <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g antibody levels. In autoimmune d<strong>is</strong>orders and some <strong>in</strong>flammatory<br />

d<strong>is</strong>eases, it <strong>is</strong> assumed to have a rapid immunomodulatory action, by neutraliz<strong>in</strong>g<br />

circulat<strong>in</strong>g auto-antibodies, modulat<strong>in</strong>g the production of <strong>in</strong>flammatory cytok<strong>in</strong>es,<br />

<strong>in</strong>terfer<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> complement activation, and a few other mechan<strong>is</strong>ms. In the long term, it<br />

also regulates the production of antibodies and cytok<strong>in</strong>es. Th<strong>is</strong> evidence review does<br />

not cover the IG mechan<strong>is</strong>ms of action but it reviews the effectiveness of IG <strong>in</strong> treat<strong>in</strong>g<br />

a number of d<strong>is</strong>eases.<br />

Scope<br />

As more than 100 <strong>in</strong>dications have been considered for IG use, th<strong>is</strong> literature review<br />

focuses on the <strong>in</strong>dications that contribute to address the research question. We<br />

selected <strong>in</strong>dications for which IG are reimbursed or recommended by national<br />

authorities and/or likely to consume significant amounts of IG and/or have been covered<br />

<strong>in</strong> systematic reviews. We <strong>in</strong>cluded the follow<strong>in</strong>g d<strong>is</strong>eases (see Table 21):<br />

• <strong>in</strong>dications reimbursed <strong>in</strong> Belgium<br />

• d<strong>is</strong>eases for which IG <strong>is</strong> recommended <strong>in</strong> five comparable <strong>in</strong>dustrialized<br />

countries (France, Netherlands, UK, Canada and Australia)<br />

• other d<strong>is</strong>eases covered by Cochrane systematic reviews <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g IG<br />

effectiveness<br />

• d<strong>is</strong>eases under <strong>in</strong>vestigation that may consume high amounts of IG<br />

Twenty-n<strong>in</strong>e <strong>in</strong>dications have thus been selected for th<strong>is</strong> literature review:<br />

Haematological d<strong>is</strong>eases<br />

1. Primary immune deficiency conditions<br />

2. Secondary immune deficiencies:<br />

• Multiple myeloma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia<br />

• Allogenic bone marrow or stem cell transplant<br />

• Prophylax<strong>is</strong> <strong>in</strong> solid organ transplant<br />

• Suspected or proven <strong>in</strong>fections <strong>in</strong> neonates<br />

• Preterm and/or low birth weight <strong>in</strong>fants<br />

• Paediatric HIV/AIDS<br />

3. Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura<br />

4. Isoimmune haemolytic jaundice <strong>in</strong> neonates<br />

5. Fetal allo-immune thrombocytopenia<br />

Neurological and neuro-muscular d<strong>is</strong>eases<br />

1. Guilla<strong>in</strong>-Barré syndrome (and variants)<br />

2. Chronic <strong>in</strong>flammatory demyel<strong>in</strong>at<strong>in</strong>g polyradiculoneuropathy<br />

3. Multifocal motor neuropathy<br />

4. Paraprote<strong>in</strong>-associated peripheral neuropathies<br />

5. Multiple scleros<strong>is</strong><br />

6. Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS)

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!