Immunoglobulins: Current Concepts
Program Code: 5205-S
Sunday, October 21, 2007
8:30 AM to 10:00 AM (ET)

MODERATOR
John Semple, PhD, St. Michael's Hospital

SPEAKERS
Jay H. Herman, MD, Thomas Jefferson University
John Semple, PhD, St. Michael's Hospital
Alan H. Lazarus, PhD, Canadian Blood Services

DESCRIPTION
Human immunoglobulins were first introduced as a therapeutic modality in 1952 to treat patients with X-linked agammaglobulinemia. Their clinical usage quickly spread to other primary and secondary immune deficiency disorders. Similarly, the hyperimmune immunoglobulin preparation anti-D was first used to treat hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) but is now also extensively used to treat the autoimmune disease immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Despite the widespread use of these immunoglobulin preparations, little is known about their mechanism of action. This session will have 3 lectures that will discuss the basic and clinical aspects of IVIG and anti-D. It will focus on the latest developments related to their mechanisms of action and their proper clinical use.