Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG)
The quiet, essential immune shield for patients with secondary immunodeficiency
When cancer treatment — especially haematological malignancies, bone-marrow transplantation, long-term corticosteroids, or rituximab —
drives the immune system into “low-battery mode”,
the most common consequences are:
colds that drag on for weeks, recurrent pneumonia, shingles covering half the body, wounds that refuse to heal…
This is secondary immunodeficiency.
It is far more common than primary immunodeficiency, yet just as debilitating.
Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) remains the most widely guideline-endorsed (NCCN, ESID) method of directly replacing missing antibodies.
Why IVIG is particularly valuable in secondary immunodeficiency
- Delivers thousands of protective IgG antibodies from healthy donors straight into the bloodstream
- Rapidly restores serum immunoglobulin to protective levels
- Markedly reduces severe bacterial, viral and fungal infections and hospital admissions
- Allows antibiotics to work effectively again
- Offers bidirectional regulation for autoimmune complications (e.g. ITP, haemolytic anaemia)
Who benefits most from considering IVIG
- Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) or multiple myeloma with recurrent infections
- Post-bone-marrow-transplant patients whose IgG remains below reference range 6–12 months after transplant
- Prolonged B-cell depletion following rituximab therapy
- Three or more infection-related hospitalisations per year or a history of severe pneumonia
Usage Method (Determined after evaluation by a specialist physician)
- Typically given every 3–4 weeks via slow intravenous infusion
- Each session lasts 4–6 hours (private room, entertainment, and rest are provided)
- IgG levels, liver, and kidney function are closely monitored before and after every dose
Four changes patients most commonly notice
- Colds resolve in days instead of weeks
- Fever episodes and hospital visits become far less frequent
- Shingles and skin infections heal more quickly
- The overall feeling of “being alive without constant exhaustion” gradually returns
Summary
Secondary immunodeficiency is not simply “bad luck with infections” —
it is a missing piece of the immune puzzle.
IVIG gently places that piece back,
allowing you not only to keep cancer under control,
but to reclaim the quality of life you deserve.
If you are experiencing recurrent infections, prolonged fever, or slow-healing wounds despite cancer treatment, please feel welcome to contact us.
Our haematology-oncology and infectious-diseases team will review your latest immunoglobulin levels and, with your specialist physician, determine whether IVIG or other immune-supportive therapy is most appropriate for you.
You deserve to spend your energy living —
not constantly fighting infections.
Disclaimer：
The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, nor should it replace professional medical advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with a qualified healthcare provider or integrative oncology specialist before making any changes to their diet, treatment plan, or lifestyle based on the content herein. Therapies and tests mentioned, including immune or integrative treatments, should always be…
All product names, test references, and therapy mentions are for informational context only and do not constitute endorsement. Results and experiences may vary among individuals.