palivizumab

Indications

Palivizumab (Synagis) is a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against the highly conserved A antigenic site of the F protein on the surface of RSV. It contains 95% human and 5% murine antibody sequences and tends to have little immunogenicity in humans. Palivizumab is composed of the human framework region of the IgG-1κ-chain joined to the antigen-binding regions of a mouse monoclonal antibody. Palivizumab neutralizes RSV and inhibits its ability to fuse with host cell membranes. Resistant strains of RSV have been derived in vitro but have not been found in clinical isolates to date.

Clinical Use

Palivizumab is used to prevent serious lower respiratory tract infection due to RSV. It is used only in high-risk children who are younger than 24 months of age and have bronchopulmonary dysplasia or chronic lung disease that required treatment in the previous 6 months. It is also indicated for premature infants (less than 32 weeks’ gestation) until the age of 6 to 12 months. Palivizumab can reduce the incidence of RSV-related hospitalization by approximately half.The safety and efficacy of palivizumab in the treatment of RSV disease have not been established.

Side Effects

Serious adverse reactions caused by palivizumab are rare.Mild erythema and pain may occur at the injection site.Although no anaphylactoid reactions have been reported to date, the possibility of this reaction exists because palivizumab is a protein.