Protective Role Immunoglobulin Replacement Therapy In Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Focus On Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin Formulations

INTRODUCTION. Secondary antibody deficiency is a common complication in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that could be present at diagnosis or can be acquired during the follow-up due to CLL progression, perturbation of non-neoplastic immune system and chemoimmunotherapy. Despite new and active target therapies a significant amount of CLL patients still develops severe and life-threatening infections. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IG) (IVIG) replacement therapy (IGRT) has been proven to be an effective supportive treatment in patients with primary and secondary antibody deficiency such as CLL. Subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG) is a new valid treatment option that allows patients self-administration without access to the clinic which proved to be as effective as IVIG in primary immunodeficiencies. However, the activity SCIG is CLL patients with IG defect has been little investigated.