Antilymphocyte immunoglobulin

Active ingredient description

Equine anti-thymocyte globulin is composed of purified gamma globulin containing primarily IgG against human thymus lymphocytes. It is formed by inoculating a horse with an antigen (human thymoyctes) which then induces the horse immune system’s B-lymphocytes to produce IgG immunoglobulins specific for that antigen. The result is polyclonal IgG that is then purified from the horse’s serum to produce a usable drug product that can be used for immunosuppression. Although the exact mechanism of action is unknown, equine anti-thymocyte globulin targets a variety of immune system proteins including lymphocyte surface proteins, granulocytes, platelets, bone marrow cells, and other cell types. Equine ATG is currently indicated for the suppression of the immune system to prevent renal transplant rejection and in the treatment of aplastic anemia. Induction of T cell apoptosis and resulting T-cell lymphopenia found in vivo is credited for its therapeutic effect in these conditions.

There are currently various ATG products available, which differ in the source of inoculated animal (rabbit, horse, or pig) and in the type of antigen product used to produce immunoglobulin (thymocytes, peripheral T cells, etc.).

Medicine classification

This medicinal substance has been classified in the anatomical therapeutic chemical (ATC) classification according to its main therapeutic use as follows:

ATC code
Group title
Classification
Antilymphocyte immunoglobulin (horse)
L Antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents → L04 Immunosuppressants → L04A Immunosuppressants → L04AA Selective immunosuppressants
Discover more medicines within L04AA03

Medicines

Antilymphocyte immunoglobulin is the active ingredient of these drugs:

Drug
Countries

Turkey

External identifiers

DrugBank Drug: DB09312
KEGG Drug: D08808
RxNorm Ingredient: 91601
SNOMED-CT Concept: 391784006
Antilymphocyte immunoglobulin (substance)
UNII Identifier: 475247QF1Z
EQUINE THYMOCYTE IMMUNE GLOBULIN