Current understanding and future directions

Since immunoglobulin (Ig) replacement therapy was first used for the treatment of X-linked agammaglobulinaemia (XLA) [1], the therapeutic use of immunoglobulins has expanded to encompass not only many primary and secondary immunodeficiencies, but also vasculopathies, autoimmune diseases and numerous inflammatory disorders. The diversity of clinical topics covered at this 6th International Immunoglobulin Symposium was extraordinary, ranging from neurological indications, such as Guillain–Barre syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis, to blistering skin diseases, sepsis, transplantation and, of course, immunodeficiencies. The presentations featured reviews of current management strategies, as well as new clinical and basic science developments that will shape immunoglobulin therapy in the future.

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