At the 2011 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology annual meeting, data from an innovative pharmacokinetic (PK) model were presented as both a poster and an oral presentation. The model, which was developed by CSL Behring in collaboration with researchers at Cardiff University, Keele University, and Prism Ideas Ltd allows the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination of subcutaneous (SC) immunoglobulin G (IgG) to be simulated with a high degree of accuracy and precision. The new PK model provides a novel means of simulating the mechanism by which SC IgG is transported after it is injected into the subcutaneous tissue.
The current understanding of the clinical implications of SC versus intravenous dosing of IgG in primary immunodeficiency (PI) patients is limited. In addition, little is known about where SC IgG travels within the body after it is administered and how long it remains there. This information defines IgG's PK profile and could affect the volume and frequency of IgG dosing for PI patients.
"Clearly a need exists to better understand the highly complex pharmacokinetic interactions that take place after an infusion of IgG, especially SC IgG, in areas of the body that are not traditionally monitored by clinicians," said Stephen Jolles, M.D., University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, U.K. "This new PK model represents a major step toward filling this need, especially for clinicians who measure serum IgG as a means of determining overall levels of IgG, and provides valuable insight into movement of IgG around the body with implications for improving PI patient dosing and treatment."
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