Intravenous immune globulin: an alternative therapy in steroid-dependent allergic diseases.

A fundamental feature of asthma is abnormal airway function, now recognized to result from both acute and chronic inflammatory changes. Central to the development of these inflammatory changes may be the activation of T cells and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In the skin, a similar cascade of events may underlie the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. Asthma and atopic dermatitis often share several features that may be important in their pathogenesis: T-cell infiltration of the tissues, elevated IgE levels, and a history of known triggers associated with positive immediate skin-test reactions. In both diseases, administration of intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) on a regular basis appears to reduce the need for systemic corticosteroids, reduce symptoms and for asthmatics, reduce hospitalization costs. Although the mechanism of action of IVIG in these disorders remains to be defined, it may be exhibiting significant anti-inflammatory activity. IVIG may be a potent alternative in the treatment of severe, steroid-dependent allergic disorders, reducing steroid dependency.