Category: Immunology

Despite advances in medicine, about 10-15% of kidney transplant recipients experience at least one episode of acute rejection [1.2.4, 1.7.1]. So, what is the infusion for transplant rejection? These are powerful intravenous drugs designed to suppress the body's immune attack on the new organ.

Used for decades in transplantation, Antithymocyte Globulin (ATG) is a powerful polyclonal antibody with a complex mode of action. Understanding precisely **what is the mechanism of action of ATG?** is crucial for its clinical application in preventing organ rejection and treating conditions like severe aplastic anemia.

For individuals with primary immunodeficiency, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy is often a lifelong treatment administered every few weeks. So, **how many times can you get IVIG**? The answer is highly personalized and depends entirely on the underlying medical issue, the patient's response, and specific therapeutic goals, which can range from a single course to indefinite therapy.

Many autoimmune diseases and certain cancers are characterized by abnormally high levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and pathogenic autoantibodies. Understanding **what medications can lower IgG levels** is crucial for targeted therapeutic interventions in these conditions, and a variety of pharmacological approaches exist to achieve this goal.

Since 2021, the FDA has required black box warnings on JAK inhibitors, highlighting risks of heart issues, cancer, and blood clots. Whether **JAK inhibitors are safer than biologics** is a complex question, with the answer depending heavily on a patient's individual health profile.

Rinvoq (upadacitinib) is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor used to treat several chronic inflammatory diseases. The FDA requires a boxed warning, also known as a 'black box' warning, for Rinvoq due to potentially serious or life-threatening risks. So, **is Rinvoq a high risk medication?**

According to a 2009 study published in *The Lancet*, infants who received prophylactic acetaminophen (Tylenol) had a reduced antibody response to several routine vaccines compared to those who received no medication. This crucial finding helps explain why you shouldn't give Tylenol after vaccines, especially preemptively, and underscores the importance of proper timing for fever-reducing medication.

Initially understood as a hormone that exclusively regulates red blood cell production, erythropoietin (EPO) is now known to possess significant anti-inflammatory and tissue-protective properties. A growing body of research indicates that this powerful molecule acts far beyond the bone marrow by modulating immune responses and protecting various organs from injury.

In a 2018 survey, 98% of patients using Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) reported experiencing side effects, highlighting the need for strict adherence to administration protocols [1.6.1]. So, what is the protocol for administering IVIG safely and effectively?

Approximately 5% of patients who take heparin for more than four days can develop the life-threatening complication known as heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). This condition is the most serious complication of heparin and presents a dangerous paradox, as the blood thinner causes new and excessive blood clots instead of preventing them.