Immunoglobulin Replacement Therapy in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia patients with hypogammaglobulinaemia and infection

Authors: Keegan, A; Dennington, PM; Dhondy, N; Mulligan, SP

Affiliations: Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, 290 Wellington Street, Perth, 6000 WA, Australia ; Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, 17 O’Riordan Street, Alexandria, Sydney, 2015, NSW, Australia; Department of Haematology, Laverty Pathology, 60 Waterloo Road, Macquarie Park, Sydney, 2113, NSW, Australia.

Publication: European journal of haematology ; February 2022

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To analyse total national utilisation of immunoglobulin (Ig) replacement therapy (IgRT) for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia patients with acquired hypogammaglobulinaemia and severe and/or recurrent bacterial infections. METHODS: In 2007, the National Blood Authority first published Criteria for the clinical use of intravenous immunoglobulin in Australia. The Australian Red Cross Lifeblood assessed, approved, and recorded all supply with patient demographics, distribution data, intravenous Ig (IVIg) volumes and treatment episodes. IVIg was the sole product used in Australia from 2008-2013 inclusive. RESULTS: From 2008-2013 across Australia, 2,734 individual CLL patients received 48,870 treatment episodes using a total 1,324,926 grams of IVIg therapy. Six IVIg products were available, with domestically manufactured Intragam®P accounting for 89.7% of supply. The average age for first dose was 74 years. Males received 60.6% of the total treatment episodes representing 20% more than females. The average pre-treatment IgG level was 4.03g/L±2.03g/L (range 0.30-10.50g/L). A sustained average annual increased IVIg utilisation of 5.5% was observed. There was significant regional variation consistent with differences in prescriber preferences across states and territories. CONCLUSION: This study provides a globally unique insight into IgRT supply and demand in CLL patients by analysis of total national use in Australia over a six-year period.