Subcutaneous immunoglobulins in patients with multiple myeloma and secondary hypogammaglobulinemia

Publication date: Available online 28 November 2017
Source:Clinical Immunology
Author(s): Angelo Vacca, Carolina Marasco, Assunta Melaccio, Azzurra Sportelli, Ilaria Saltarella, Antonio Solimando, Franco Dammacco, Roberto Ria
Multiple myeloma is commonly associated with a reduction of non-paraprotein immunoglobulins, resulting in a higher risk of infections that represent the leading cause of the patients' death. Therefore, immunoglobulin replacement therapy appears a logical approach.A total number of 46 myeloma patients were enrolled: 24 of them were assigned to receive subcutaneous immunoglobulins, and 22 were controls. The primary endpoint was the evaluation of the annual rate of severe infections in immunoglobulins-receiving patients as compared with those untreated. Subcutaneous immunoglobulins-treated patients showed a significantly lower number of severe infections per year. Adverse events were limited to the site of infusion and were easily manageable. Health-related quality of life was significantly better in subcutaneous immunoglobulins-receiving patients.By decreasing the rate of infections, the prophylactic administration of SCIg improves both adherence to chemotherapy and health-related quality of life, and is cost-effective by reducing the need of hospitalization and the use of antibiotics.



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