How does anti-thymocyte globulin work?
Anti-thymocyte globulin (rabbit) works by preventing the white blood cells from doing this. The effect of anti-thymocyte globulin (rabbit) on the white blood cells may also reduce the body's ability to fight infections.
What is rabbit injection?
Anti-thymocyte globulin (rabbit) injection is used together with other medicines to prevent and treat the body from rejecting a transplanted kidney. This medicine is an immunosuppressant. When a patient receives an organ transplant, the body's white blood cells will try to get rid of (reject) the transplanted organ.
What is anti-thymocyte globulin?
Anti-thymocyte globulin [also called ATG, ATGAM (horse), or Thymoglobulin (rabbit)] is a clear liquid that is given by vein (IV), usually during a long infusion (at least 4 hours, up to 24 hours).
Special instructions for anti-thymocyte globulin
The infusion of ATG may be slowed down or interrupted to lessen the side effects.
What is ATG therapy?
ATG therapy helps in preventing organ rejection against any kind of transplant including kidney or any other organ or stem cell transplant in the body. ATG therapy is sold under several brand names like Atgam etc. The mechanism of action of ATG therapy involves specifically targeting some immune system cells like T-lymphocytes, ...
How does ATG therapy work?
ATG therapy helps in lowering the immune response of the body. It further prevents immune system o the body to attack its own bone marrow and it provides a buffer period for the transplanted stem cells to grow and regenerate to raise up the blood count.
What is the mechanism of action of ATG therapy?
The mechanism of action of ATG therapy involves specifically targeting some immune system cells like T-lymphocytes, which tend to attack the bone marrow cells during aplastic anemia phase. This allows transplanted stem cells to rebuild and perform its action of increasing blood count and reach up to healthy levels.
How long does it take for ATG to work?
Although this might take nearly 9 months in some cases and the results tend to be positive in most cases except few rare cases which require another treatment after ATG therapy.
What is the best treatment for aplastic anemia?
Immunosuppressive therapy helps in effectively treating severe aplastic anemia. This therapy involves mainly a combination of cyclosporine (CsA) and ATG therapy. Although, in some patients, this therapy also might not show any remarkable improvement in the blood count. ATG therapy helps in lowering the immune response of the body.
How long does ATG therapy last?
The route of administration for ATG therapy is mainly IV infusion. It is administered into the vein for a duration of 8 to 12 hours daily, for at least 4 days. This schedule might vary depending upon few factors like type of ATG therapy used or condition of the patient etc.
Can you use ATG alone with cyclosporine?
So in such cases, ATG therapy alone or in combination with cyclosporine helps in combating aplastic anemia condition. Although, it might require several outpatient follow-ups to keep the condition under check and immediate treatment for side effects if any arises. In extreme cases, blood transfusions might also be required if ATG therapy alone is ...
What is the ATG in rabbits?
Two antithymocyte globulin (ATG) agents licensed for clinical use in the United States are Thymoglobulin (rabbit ATG, rATG, Genzyme) and Atgam (equine ATG, eATG, Pfizer). Thymoglobulin and Atgam are currently licensed for use in the treatment of renal allograft rejection; Atgam is additionally licensed for use in the treatment of aplastic anemia. Both drugs are used in off-label applications, especially as immunosuppression induction agents before and/or during kidney transplantation. A rabbit anti-T lymphocyte globulin made by Neovii Pharmaceuticals is marketed outside of the United States under the name Grafalon.
What is the purpose of anti-thymocyte globulin?
Anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) is an infusion of horse or rabbit-derived antibodies against human T cells and their precursors ( thymocytes ), which is used in the prevention and treatment of acute rejection in organ transplantation and therapy of aplastic anemia .
Who makes rabbit anti-T globulin?
A rabbit anti-T lymphocyte globulin made by Neovii Pharmaceuticals is marketed outside of the United States under the name Grafalon.
Does ATG cause cytokine release?
ATG use can induce cytokine release syndrome , and has been thought to increase the risk of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD); however, this association may not apply when lower dosing regimens are used. There is some evidence to suggest that inducing immunosuppression with rATG at organ transplantation may create conditions in the patient's immune system favorable to the development of immunological tolerance, but the exact basis for such a development remains largely speculative. Temporary depletion of the T-cell population at the time of the transplant also risks delayed acute rejection, which may be missed and cause severe damage to the graft.
How many doses of ATG are given?
Pre-medications and I.V. fluids, such as hydration, may add more time. Only one treatment course (a total of 4 doses) with ATG is usually given.
How long does it take to get ATGAM?
Estimated total infusion time for this treatment: As short as 4 hours, or up to 24 hours for each ATG treatment.
How long does it take for ATGAM to cause nausea?
Serum sickness from ATGAM, when it occurs, is reported to happen within 6 to 18 days of receiving the first dose. Importantly, not all people who experience a side effect from ATGAM (horse) + Cyclosporine (Gengraf® or Neoral®) will experience it in the same way.
How long does it take to infuse antithymocyte globulin?
Antithymocyte globulin (ATG) intravenous (I.V.) infusion over 4 to 24 hours on Days 1, 2, 3, and 4. Cyclosporine (typically 2 to 6 oral capsules) by mouth twice daily. Your dose may need to be changed several times during therapy to achieve the target blood levels of cyclosporine.
Can ATGAM cause low platelet count?
Ear infection (2%) *A low platelet count may be from having aplastic anemia, however, ATGAM has also been associated with a low platelet count (thrombocytopenia). Platelet transfusions may be needed after receiving ATGAM in order to increase the platelet count and reduce the risk of bleeding.
Can you take ATG in the hospital?
ATG is often given in the hospital, but can be given in an outpatient infusion center (if well-tolerated), allowing the person to go home afterwards. Cyclosporine may be taken in the hospital or at home. Click here for the common cyclosporine + ATG starting doses.
What is ATG used for?
Anti-Thymocyte Globulin (ATG) ATG is approved in the U.S. to treat acquired aplastic anemia and to reduce the chance of organ rejection after a kidney or other organ transplant. It may also be used to treat MDS or reduce rejection after a bone marrow transplant. In the U.S., it is also sold under the brand name Atgam®.
How does ATG work?
ATG works by killing specific cells in your immune system called T-lymphocytes — the cells that are attacking bone marrow stem cells in aplastic anemia. This allows an aplastic anemia patient’s bone marrow to rebuild its supply of bone marrow stem cells, causing blood counts to go up.
What is immunosuppressive therapy?
Immunosuppressive Therapy. For older patients with acquired aplastic anemia, immunosuppressive drug therapy is the treatment of choice. It is also used for aplastic anemia patients who do not have a matched bone marrow donor. In some cases, it may be used for patients with MDS and PNH.
What is the purpose of eltrombopag?
Eltrombopag (Promacta) is used to increase the number of platelets (cells that help blood clot) and to decrease the risk of bleeding . It is a man-made platelet growth factor that signals your bone marrow to make more platelets. Eltrombopag was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2014 to treat refractory aplastic anemia. In 2018, Eltrombopag was FDA approved as a first line therapy to treat aplastic anemia. It comes as a tablet and as a powder for oral suspension (liquid) to take by mouth.
What is ATG in rabbits?
ATG is created injecting human white blood cells (T cells) into a horse or a rabbit, and extracting the antibodies produced. A recent study conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that horse-derived ATG provided a better overall response rate in aplastic anemia patients. In other words, patients who took horse ATG had increased blood counts, and the counts stayed up longer when compared to patients given rabbit ATG. Learn more about this study
How long does ATG last?
Usually, ATG is given by IV infusion into a vein for 8-12 hours a day, for 4 days. The schedule depends on your needs, the type of ATG used and doctor or hospital preference. No one schedule has been shown to be better than another.
When was Eltrombopag approved?
Eltrombopag was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2014 to treat refractory aplastic anemia. In 2018, Eltrombopag was FDA approved as a first line therapy to treat aplastic anemia. It comes as a tablet and as a powder for oral suspension (liquid) to take by mouth.
What is ATG used for?
This allows the bone marrow to grow and make new blood cells. ATG may be used to treat other bone marrow failure diseases in some cases. ATG is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating moderate and severe aplastic anemia.
Does AAMDSIF recommend drugs?
AAMDSIF does not recommend, endorse, or make any representation about the efficacy, appropriateness or suitability of any drug, treatment or therapy listed on this website. Some therapies listed on our site are considered experimental for the treatment of bone marrow failure diseases.
What is Atgam used for?
Atgam® (Anti-thymocyte Globulin [Equine]) is used for a number of blood disorders, including aplastic anemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). It is also used to prevent the body from rejecting a kidney transplant , and in some cases, to prevent or treat Graft Versus Host Disease (GvHD). Atgam® (Anti-thymocyte Globulin [Equine]) | OncoLink.
Why is Atgam used for kidney transplants?
There are cases where Atgam may be used for other blood disorders, including: To prevent or lessen the effects of graft versus host disease (GvHD) before or after a stem cell transplant. To help bone marrow make new blood cells in patients with MDS.
Why does Atgam slow down blood cells?
Atgam slows or stops the T-lymphocyte cells from attacking the bone marrow so your blood is able to make the cells it needs.
How is atgam made?
Atgam is made by taking donated human white blood cells (T-lymphocytes) and injecting them into a horse. The horse’s blood makes its own antibodies (a blood protein) against these T-lymphocytes. These antibodies are then taken from the horse’s blood and made into Atgam.
What is the classification of Atgam?
Classification: Immune Globulin, Immunosuppressant Agent, Polyclonal Antibody. About: Atgam® (Anti-thymocyte Globulin [Equine]) What is Atgam? Atgam is a polyclonal antibody, or an immune globulin, given as an intravenous (IV, into a vein) infusion. Atgam is used to fight a type of white blood cell called a T-lymphocyte ...
What is the best medicine for shingles?
These include herpes zoster (Zostavax) for shingles prevention, oral polio, measles, nasal flu vaccine (FluMist®), rotovirus, and yellow fever vaccines. If you have an infection or are being treated for an infection, let your care team know right away before receiving Atgam.
