Immunotherapy for the Global Prevention of Haemolytic Disease of the Foetus and Newborn
- Author(s)
- Heydarchi, B; Wicks, IP;
- Journal Title
- Frazer’s Foundations of Immunotherapy
- Abstract
- Rhesus D is a polymorphic blood group antigen on human red blood cells (RBCs). When an RhD negative (RhD neg ) mother carries an RhD positive (RhD pos ) baby, foetal RBCs entering the maternal circulation can induce an anti-RhD antibody response, causing haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn (HDFN). HDFN causes neonatal anaemia, jaundice, miscarriage, and stillbirth. In a remarkable example of immunotherapy, passive administration of polyclonal anti-RhD immunoglobulin G (RhD-pIgG) prevents maternal sensitisation. However, the global demand for RhD-pIgG has never been met. RhD-pIgG is mainly derived from RhD neg male donors, repeatedly immunised with RhD pos RBCs, and from women with a history of HDFN. While effective, RhD-pIgG is costly, resource-intensive, and unsustainable. In addition, exactly how RhD-pIgG works to prevent HDFN remains unclear. For all these reasons, an alternative approach is urgently needed. This chapter reviews efforts to develop an anti-RhD monoclonal antibody therapy as an alternative to RhD-pIgG. © 2026 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. All rights reserved.
- Publisher
- wiley
- Keywords
- Antigens; Cells; Physical therapy; Antibodies response; Antibody therapy; Blood group antigen; Global demand; Human red blood cell; Immunoglobulin G; Polyclonal; Red blood cell; Sensitisation; Blood
- Research Division(s)
- Inflammation
- Publisher's Version
- https://doi.org/10.1002/9781394383054.ch13
- Terms of Use/Rights Notice
- Refer to copyright notice on published article.
Creation Date: 2026-09-14 08:56:36
Last Modified: 2026-09-14 08:56:54