Types of PI Treatment

Ig treatment is used to temporarily replace some of the antibodies (immunoglobulins) that are missing or not working properly in people with PI. There are five types of Ig: IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD, IgE. IgG is the only type that's used in treatment.

The goal of Ig treatment is to use IgG obtained from plasma, a special part of the blood containing antibodies, donated by healthy individuals. This is done to keep enough antibodies in the blood of patients with PI to help the body fight off bacteria and viruses.

• Intravenously, or into a vein: Intravenous Ig (IVIg) treatments are infused directly into the bloodstream and
  administered once every 3 to 4 weeks.
• Subcutaneously, which means under the skin: Subcutaneous Ig (SCIg or "subQ") treatments are delivered under the skin and administered daily or up to every 3 or 4 weeks, depending on the product.

Doctors work together with their patients to determine which route of administration is best, taking into consideration health needs and lifestyle.

Types	Frequency	Average Infusion Time*	Infusion Time Range*	Mode	Location	More info
Antibiotics	Varies based on your needs and the recommendation from your HCP	N/A	N/A	Oral	Home
SubQ Ig Replacement Ig treatment that is infused under the skin and can be self-administered up to every 28 days based on the recommendation of your HCP to boost your own antibodies and help ward off infections Learn about one option that can be administered up to every 2 weeks. Learn about one option that can be administered up to every 4 weeks.	Daily to once every two weeks	~1 to 2 hours	~5 minutes to 2 hours	subQ	Home, HCP Office, Hospital	Learn more about one option
	Every 3 or 4 weeks	~2 hours	~1 to 2 hours	subQ	Home, HCP Office, Hospital	Learn more about one option
IVIg Replacement Ig treatment administered directly into your veins to help your body ward off infections Learn more about one option	Every 3 or 4 weeks	~2 to 4 hours	~2 to 6 hours	IV	Home, HCP Office, Hospital	Learn more about one option

*Infusion times may vary based on frequency, dose, volume, number of needlesticks, & tolerability

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It’s important to talk with your doctor to understand your treatment options and to make sure you’re on a plan that’s right for you.

For some people with PI who have a history of bacterial infections, doctors may prescribe prophylactic antibiotics. Unlike antibiotics used to treat an infection, prophylactic antibiotics are given to help prevent an infection. They are usually given in low doses.

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It’s important to talk with your doctor to understand your treatment options and to make sure you’re on a plan that’s right for you.

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) form the different types of blood and immune cells. For some types of PI, hematopoietic (blood-forming) stem cell transplantation (HSCT) may be an appropriate treatment option. HSCT is when HSCs from a healthy person are transfused into a person with Pl. It is not surgery. The process is more like a blood transfusion.

The traditional way to perform HSCT is by bone marrow transplantation, where the HSCs from another person's bone marrow are transfused into a person with Pl. But now, HSCs can also be taken from cord blood (the blood removed from the placenta after childbirth). Cord blood can be an HSC source for immune and blood systems.

Talk to Your Doctor

It’s important to talk with your doctor to understand your treatment options and to make sure you’re on a plan that’s right for you.

Most forms of PI are caused by errors (mutations) in specific genes. Gene therapy uses a person's own hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) that have been modified by addition of a normal copy of the gene in order to fix the genetic mutation. This may be an option for individuals with some types of PI who cannot be matched with appropriate stem cell donors. Currently, gene therapy remains experimental and is not yet used routinely.

Talk to Your Doctor

It’s important to talk with your doctor to understand your treatment options and to make sure you’re on a plan that’s right for you.

Natural treatments do exist; however, there is little evidence of their effectiveness. If a natural disease management routine is something you are interested in, it is best to discuss it with your doctor.