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Understanding the treatment benefit of hyperimmune anti-influenza intravenous immunoglobulin (Flu-IVIG) for severe human influenza
Hillary A. Vanderven, Deborah N. Wentworth, Win Min Han, Heidi Peck, Ian G. Barr, Richard T. Davey Jr., John H. Beigel, Dominic E. Dwyer, Mamta K. Jain, Brian Angus, Christian T. Brandt, Analia Mykietiuk, Matthew G. Law, James D. Neaton, Stephen J. Kent, for the INSIGHT FLU-IVIG Study Group
Hillary A. Vanderven, Deborah N. Wentworth, Win Min Han, Heidi Peck, Ian G. Barr, Richard T. Davey Jr., John H. Beigel, Dominic E. Dwyer, Mamta K. Jain, Brian Angus, Christian T. Brandt, Analia Mykietiuk, Matthew G. Law, James D. Neaton, Stephen J. Kent, for the INSIGHT FLU-IVIG Study Group
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Clinical Research and Public Health Immunology Infectious disease

Understanding the treatment benefit of hyperimmune anti-influenza intravenous immunoglobulin (Flu-IVIG) for severe human influenza

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Abstract

BACKGROUND Antibody-based therapies for respiratory viruses are of increasing importance. The INSIGHT 006 trial administered anti-influenza hyperimmune intravenous immunoglobulin (Flu-IVIG) to patients hospitalized with influenza. Flu-IVIG treatment improved outcomes in patients with influenza B but showed no benefit for influenza A.METHODS To probe potential mechanisms of Flu-IVIG utility, sera collected from patients hospitalized with influenza A or B viruses (IAV or IBV) were analyzed for antibody isotype/subclass and Fcγ receptor (FcγR) binding by ELISA, bead-based multiplex, and NK cell activation assays.RESULTS Influenza-specific FcγR-binding antibodies were elevated in Flu-IVIG–infused IBV- and IAV-infected patients. In IBV-infected participants (n = 62), increased IgG3 and FcγR binding were associated with more favorable outcomes. Flu-IVIG therapy also improved the odds of a more favorable outcome in patients with low levels of anti-IBV Fc-functional antibody. Higher FcγR-binding antibody was associated with less favorable outcomes in IAV-infected patients (n = 50), and Flu-IVIG worsened the odds of a favorable outcome in participants with low levels of anti-IAV Fc-functional antibody.CONCLUSION These detailed serological analyses provide insights into antibody features and mechanisms required for a successful humoral response against influenza, suggesting that IBV-specific, but not IAV-specific, antibodies with Fc-mediated functions may assist in improving influenza outcome. This work will inform development of improved influenza immunotherapies.TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02287467.FUNDING Funding for this research was provided by subcontract 13XS134 under Leidos Biomedical Research Prime Contract HHSN261200800001E and HHSN261201500003I, NCI/NIAID.

Authors

Hillary A. Vanderven, Deborah N. Wentworth, Win Min Han, Heidi Peck, Ian G. Barr, Richard T. Davey Jr., John H. Beigel, Dominic E. Dwyer, Mamta K. Jain, Brian Angus, Christian T. Brandt, Analia Mykietiuk, Matthew G. Law, James D. Neaton, Stephen J. Kent, for the INSIGHT FLU-IVIG Study Group

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Figure 5

Association between clinical outcome and HAI or FcγRIIIa-binding antibody titer in B/Yamagata- and A/H1N1-infected patients.

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Association between clinical outcome and HAI or FcγRIIIa-binding antibod...
(A) Based on postinfusion (d1) serum titers, patients with severe B/Yamagata (n = 62; blue) and A/H1N1 (n = 50; red) influenza were divided into high (≥40) and low (<40) HAI titer groups irrespective of randomization to Flu-IVIG or placebo. (B) Patients with severe B/Yamagata (n = 62; blue) and A/H1N1 (n = 50; red) influenza were also divided into high (>160) and low (≤160) FcγRIIIa-binding antibody titer groups regardless of treatment group. The association between HAI or FcγRIIIa-binding antibody titer and d5 postinfusion ordinal outcomes was investigated using univariate and multivariate proportional odds regression models, with the multivariate model adjusting for baseline antibody titer, treatment group (Flu-IVIG/placebo), and risk score on d7. Odds ratios (ORs) are shown with 95% confidence intervals, with ORs greater than 1 indicating that the high-antibody-titer group has better odds of being in a more favorable clinical outcome category and ORs less than 1 favoring the low-antibody-binding group. *P <0.05.

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