Palivizumab and the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus illness in pediatric patients with congenital heart disease

Abstract

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a significant pathogen for infants and children with congenital heart disease. Non-sustained immunity and failure to develop an effective vaccine has steered RSV management toward a passive immunotherapy strategy in at-risk children. Palivizumab is a humanized murine monoclonal antibody targeting the RSV envelope F glycoprotein. In a Phase III clinical trial palivizumab significantly reduced RSV hospitalization in children with significant congenital heart disease and was proven to be safe. Palivizumab is one of the first monoclonal antibodies to significantly impact a pediatric disease.

Keywords::

• congenital heart disease
• MEDI-493
• monoclonal antibody
• pediatric cardiology
• pediatrics
• respiratory syncytial virus

Disclosures

Dr Feltes is a cardiology consultant for MedImmune, Inc. and Abbott International. He is on the Speakers Bureau for MedImmune, Inc. He is a co-principal investigator on the MI-CP-124 Cardiac Numax Trial sponsored by MedImmune, Inc. Dr Sondheimer is a cardiology consultant for MedImmune, Inc. He is a co-principal investigator on the MI-CP-124 Cardiac Numax Trial sponsored by MedImmune, Inc.

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