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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 6

Associations between influenza antibody features and clinical outcomes on day 5 after infusion in patients hospitalized with severe B/Yamagata and A/H1N1 influenza.

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Associations between influenza antibody features and clinical outcomes o...
The association between antibody features and day 5 (d5) postinfusion ordinal outcomes were investigated using univariate and multivariate proportional odds regression models, with the multivariate model adjusting for baseline antibody level, treatment group (Flu-IVIG/placebo), and risk score on d7. Heatmaps show summary odds ratios (ORs) for patients hospitalized with B/Yamagata (n = 62; left side of heatmap) and A/H1N1 (n = 50; right side of heatmap) influenza at preinfusion (A and C) and d1 postinfusion (B and D) time points generated using univariate (A and B) and multivariate (C and D) proportional odds regression models. ORs greater than 1 indicate that patients with higher antibody levels have improved odds of being in a better outcome category on d5 after infusion and ORs less than 1 indicating that patients with lower antibody levels have improved odds of being in a better outcome category. *P <0.05, **P <0.01.

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