Immunoglobulin therapies for primary immunodeficiency diseases (part 1): understanding the pharmacokinetics

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) therapies have been used for decades as standard treatment for patients with primary antibody deficiencies. Monitoring the pharmacokinetics (PK) of IgG is a key component in guiding treatment regimens. Despite the wealth of clinical experience, substantial gaps exist in our understanding of the true nature of IgGs and their disposition in humans. Furthermore, intrinsic and extrinsic factors may alter the PK of IgG, necessitating an individualized approach for patients. A comprehensive literature review was performed in order to summarize the PK of IgGs, examine the mechanisms of IgG disposition (including catabolism), outline considerations for special patient populations and discuss knowledge gaps and future perspectives for improving our understanding of IgG PK in relation to the individualized treatment paradigm.