Onkologie. 2024:18(5):334-338 | DOI: 10.36290/xon.2024.070

Treatment of secondary immunodeficiency in hemato-oncological patients

Alexandra Jungová

Hematologicko onkologické oddělení, FN Plzeň

Secondary immunodeficiency (SID) is a very common complication of hematologic, oncologic, or other chronic diseases and is often underestimated and overlooked. SID arises both as a result of the underlying disease and as a consequence of the administered treatment, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. It most commonly involves a deficiency in humoral immunity and clinically manifests as an increased frequency of infections, the presence of unusual complications from common infections, and the occurrence of opportunistic infections. Immunoglobulin replacement therapy is indicated for these patients as it significantly reduces patient morbidity, including the use of antibiotics, the need for hospitalization due to infectious complications, and also decreases mortality caused by infectious agents. Modern therapies, such as CAR-T therapy or bispecific antibodies, have been shown to impair the immune system, making immunoglobulin replacement therapy, whether in subcutaneous or intravenous form, often necessary. This text does not address the issue of anti-infective prophylaxis or vaccination; it only deals with the causal treatment of SID.

Keywords: secondary immunodeficiency, B cell ablative therapy, SCIG, IVIG.

Accepted: November 18, 2024; Published: November 28, 2024  Show citation