How ACTIMMUNE works

ACTIMMUNE is thought to engage the delayed immune response in CGD by aiding the innate immune system. It does not increase phagocyte superoxide production.1

The exact mechanism of action of ACTIMMUNE has not been established.

See how ACTIMMUNE may help your patients with CGD

ACTIMMUNE: An immunomodulatory therapy which helps reduce the frequency and severity of serious infections* in patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD).

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ACTIMMUNE is proven to help reduce the risk of serious infections* associated with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD)1,2

ACTIMMUNE is an immunomodulatory therapy which helps reduce the frequency and severity of serious infections* in patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD).1,2

64%

reduction in the total number and rate of serious infections,* including recurrent infections (P < .0001)1,2

67%

reduction in relative risk of serious infections* for patients receiving ACTIMMUNE (P = .0006)1,2

67%

fewer inpatient hospitalization days (P = .02)1,2

As part of a combination treatment regimen along with prophylaxis therapy that includes antibiotics and antifungals, ACTIMMUNE is recommended by the3-5:

Image of Chronic Granulomatous Disease treatment guidelines recommending a combination of anitboiotic prophylaxis, antifungal prophylaxis, and ACTIMMUNE

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant for CGD

Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) may be considered for management of CGD. HSCT provides the recipient with the donor’s immune system which has neutrophils with functional nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) and superoxide anion production. The specific patient characteristics for an HSCT are still being debated due to the difficulty of weighing the risks and benefits.6

Long-term data support triple prophylaxis with ACTIMMUNE as the standard treatment in CGD to reduce the risk of infections leading up to transplant.

*Serious infection was defined as a clinical event requiring hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics.

References: 1. ACTIMMUNE® (Interferon gamma-1b) [prescribing information] Horizon. 2. The International Chronic Granulomatous Disease Cooperative Study Group. A controlled trial of interferon gamma to prevent infection in chronic granulomatous disease. N Engl J Med. 1991;324(8):509-516. 3. Bonilla FA, Khan DA, Ballas ZK, et al. Practice parameter for the diagnosis and management of primary immunodeficiency. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2015;136(5):1186-1205.e1-e78. 4. Leiding JW, Malech HL, Holland SM. Clinical Focus on Primary Immunodeficiencies: Chronic Granulomatous Disease. Immune Deficiency Foundation; 2013 5. Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial disease. In: Buckley RH, ed. Immune Deficiency Foundation Diagnostic & Clinical Care Guidelines for Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases. 3rd ed. Immune Deficiency Foundation; 2015. 6. Connelly JA, Marsh R, Parikh S, Talano JA. Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for chronic granulomatous disease: controversies and state of the art. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2018;7(suppl 1):S31-S39.

Approved Uses and Important Safety Information

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

ACTIMMUNE® (Interferon gamma-1b) is indicated:

  • For reducing the frequency and severity of serious infections associated with Chronic Granulomatous Disease
  • For delaying time to disease progression in patients with severe, malignant osteopetrosis
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

CONTRAINDICATIONS

  • In patients who develop or have known hypersensitivity to interferon-gamma, E. coli derived products, or any component of the product

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

  • ACTIMMUNE should be used with caution in patients with:
    • Pre-existing cardiac conditions, including ischemia, congestive heart failure, or arrhythmia
    • Seizure disorders or compromised central nervous system function; reduce dose or discontinue
    • Myelosuppression, or receiving other potentially myelosuppressive agents; consider dose reduction or discontinuation of therapy
    • Severe renal insufficiency
    • Age <1 year
  • Monitoring:
    • Patients begun on ACTIMMUNE before age 1 year should receive monthly assessments of liver function. If severe hepatic enzyme elevations develop, ACTIMMUNE dosage should be modified
    • Monitor renal function regularly when administering ACTIMMUNE in patients with severe renal insufficiency; accumulation of interferon gamma-1b may occur with repeated administration. Renal toxicity has been reported in patients receiving ACTIMMUNE
  • Pregnancy, Lactation, and Fertility:
    • ACTIMMUNE should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk to the fetus
    • Use of ACTIMMUNE by lactating mothers is not recommended. ACTIMMUNE or nursing should be discontinued dependent on the importance of the drug to the mother
    • Long-term effects of ACTIMMUNE on fertility are not known

DRUG INTERACTIONS

  • Concomitant use of drugs with neurotoxic, hematotoxic, or cardiotoxic effects may increase the toxicity of interferons
  • Avoid simultaneous administration of ACTIMMUNE with other heterologous serum protein or immunological preparations (eg, vaccines)

ADVERSE REACTIONS

  • The most common adverse experiences occurring with ACTIMMUNE therapy are “flu-like” symptoms such as fever, headache, chills, myalgia, or fatigue, which may decrease in severity as treatment continues, and may be minimized by bedtime administration of ACTIMMUNE. Acetaminophen may be used to prevent or partially alleviate the fever and headache
  • Isolated cases of acute serious hypersensitivity reactions have been observed in patients receiving ACTIMMUNE
  • Reversible neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and elevations of AST and/or ALT have been observed during ACTIMMUNE therapy
  • At doses 10 times greater than the weekly recommended dose, ACTIMMUNE may exacerbate pre-existing cardiac conditions, or may cause reversible neurological effects such as decreased mental status, gait disturbance, and dizziness

Approved Uses and Important Safety Information

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

ACTIMMUNE® (Interferon gamma-1b) is indicated:

  • For reducing the frequency and severity of serious infections associated with Chronic Granulomatous Disease
  • For delaying time to disease progression in patients with severe, malignant osteopetrosis
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

CONTRAINDICATIONS

  • In patients who develop or have known hypersensitivity to interferon-gamma, E. coli derived products, or any component of the product

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

  • ACTIMMUNE should be used with caution in patients with:
    • Pre-existing cardiac conditions, including ischemia, congestive heart failure, or arrhythmia
    • Seizure disorders or compromised central nervous system function; reduce dose or discontinue
    • Myelosuppression, or receiving other potentially myelosuppressive agents; consider dose reduction or discontinuation of therapy
    • Severe renal insufficiency
    • Age <1 year
  • Monitoring:
    • Patients begun on ACTIMMUNE before age 1 year should receive monthly assessments of liver function. If severe hepatic enzyme elevations develop, ACTIMMUNE dosage should be modified
    • Monitor renal function regularly when administering ACTIMMUNE in patients with severe renal insufficiency; accumulation of interferon gamma-1b may occur with repeated administration. Renal toxicity has been reported in patients receiving ACTIMMUNE
  • Pregnancy, Lactation, and Fertility:
    • ACTIMMUNE should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk to the fetus
    • Use of ACTIMMUNE by lactating mothers is not recommended. ACTIMMUNE or nursing should be discontinued dependent on the importance of the drug to the mother
    • Long-term effects of ACTIMMUNE on fertility are not known

DRUG INTERACTIONS

  • Concomitant use of drugs with neurotoxic, hematotoxic, or cardiotoxic effects may increase the toxicity of interferons
  • Avoid simultaneous administration of ACTIMMUNE with other heterologous serum protein or immunological preparations (eg, vaccines)

ADVERSE REACTIONS

  • The most common adverse experiences occurring with ACTIMMUNE therapy are “flu-like” symptoms such as fever, headache, chills, myalgia, or fatigue, which may decrease in severity as treatment continues, and may be minimized by bedtime administration of ACTIMMUNE. Acetaminophen may be used to prevent or partially alleviate the fever and headache
  • Isolated cases of acute serious hypersensitivity reactions have been observed in patients receiving ACTIMMUNE
  • Reversible neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and elevations of AST and/or ALT have been observed during ACTIMMUNE therapy
  • At doses 10 times greater than the weekly recommended dose, ACTIMMUNE may exacerbate pre-existing cardiac conditions, or may cause reversible neurological effects such as decreased mental status, gait disturbance, and dizziness