A single recombinant anti-RhD IgG prevents RhD immunization: Association of RhD-positive red blood cell clearance rate with polymorphisms in the FcγRIIA and FcγIIIA genes

Abstract

A single recombinant immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) anti-RhD antibody (MonoRho) was compared with a currently used polyclonal anti-RhD product (Rhophylac) in a phase 1 study for safety, efficacy of Rhesus D (RhD)-positive red blood cell (RBC) clearance, and prevention of RhD immunization in RhD-negative men challenged with 15 mL RhD-positive RBCs. Both the polyclonal product and recombinant anti-RhD effectively cleared RhD-positive RBCs after intravenous and intramuscular injection. The recombinant anti-RhD demonstrated a slower clearance rate compared with the polyclonal anti-RhD. There was no dose response, and there was considerable variation among subjects who received the same dose of recombinant anti-RhD. Interestingly, RhD-positive RBC clearance rates were strongly associated with Fcγ receptor IIA (FcγRIIA) and FcγIIIA but not with FcγIIIB polymorphisms. Subjects homozygous for FcγRIIA-131H or FcγRIIIA-158V allotypes showed a faster clearance rate compared with both the heteroxygots and the corresponding alternative homozygote allotypes. A similar but less marked trend was seen for the polyclonal anti-RhD. Despite the variation in clearance rates there was no evidence of anti-RhD alloantibodies in any of the subjects at +6 months after the RBC challenge. © 2004 by The American Society of Hematology.