Edward E. Winger

Treatment with adalimumab (Humira) and intravenous immunoglobulin improves pregnancy rates in women undergoing IVF.

Problem  The purpose of this study was to investigate whether treatment with TNF‐α inhibitors and/or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) increases in vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates among young (<38 years) women with infertility and T helper 1/T helper 2 cytokine elevation.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Treatment with Adalimumab (Humira®) and Intravenous Immunoglobulin Improves Pregnancy Rates in Women Undergoing IVF*

Problem  The purpose of this study was to investigate whether treatment with TNF‐α inhibitors and/or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) increases in vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates among young (<38 years) women with infertility and T helper 1/T helper 2 cytokine elevation.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Treatment with Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors and Intravenous Immunoglobulin Improves Live Birth Rates in Women with Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion

Problem  The purpose of this study was to investigate whether treatment with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors combined with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) increases live birth rates among women with recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) concurrently treated with anticoagulants (AC).

Low circulating CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) T regulatory cell levels predict miscarriage risk in newly pregnant women with a history of failure.

Citation Winger EE, Reed JL. Low circulating CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ T regulatory cell levels predict miscarriage risk in newly pregnant women with a history of failure. Am J Reprod Immunol 2011; 66: 320–328

Degree of TNF‐α/IL‐10 Cytokine Elevation Correlates With IVF Success Rates in Women Undergoing Treatment With Adalimumab (Humira) and IVIG

Citation Winger EE, Reed JL, Ashoush S, El‐Toukhy T, Ahuja S, Taranissi M. Degree of TNF‐α/IL‐10 cytokine elevation correlates with IVF success rates in women undergoing treatment with Adalimumab (Humira) and IVIG. Am J Reprod Immunol 2011; 65: 610–618

Elevated Preconception CD56+16+ and/or Th1:Th2 Levels Predict Benefit from IVIG Therapy in Subfertile Women Undergoing IVF

Citation Winger EE, Reed JL, Ashoush S, El‐Toukhy T, Ahuja S, Taranissi M. Elevated preconception CD56+16+ and/or Th1:Th2 levels predict benefit from IVIG therapy in subfertile women undergoing IVF. Am J Reprod Immunol 2011; 66: 394–403

Was risk properly assessed in Carter, et al's safety assessment of tumor necrosis factor antagonists during pregnancy?

To the Editor: We read with great interest the article by Carter, et al 1, which is the first to suggest that women exposed to tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF) antagonists during pregnancy may experience an increased risk of congenital anomalies. Thus this report may have a chilling effect on utilization of these medications in women of child-bearing age suffering conditions that might benefit from their use. Moreover, these drugs are currently being investigated for their use prior to pregnancy. We applaud the authors for recognizing “limitations” that might compromise the reliability of their findings. However, the limitations listed in the Discussion1 are not reflected in the data analysis found in the Results1. The article follows an abstract presented at the 2007 American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals meeting2. We are aware of 2 commentaries. Each broaches important questions regarding the article’s … Address correspondence to Dr. Winger; E-mail: ewinger{at}sbcglobal.net

Update on Treatment of Immunologic Abortion With Low-dose Intravenous Immunoglobulin

Recurrent spontaneous abortion associated with immunologic abnormalities has been termed immunologic abortion. Previously we showed that treatment with low‐dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) appears to be beneficial for older women with immunologic abortion. We now report the results of IVIG treatment in a larger group of women with this disorder.

Intravenous Immunoglobulin for Repeated IVF Failure and Unexplained Infertility

We set out to determine whether intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) improves in vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates in women with a difficult history of multiple (≥2) prior IVF failures and /or ‘unexplained’ infertility.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: A Retrospective Analysis of Fondaparinux Versus Enoxaparin Treatment in Women with Infertility or Pregnancy Loss

Problem  We compared the pregnancy success rates and safety parameters of fondaparinux versus enoxaparin, combined with immunotherapy, in patients with a history of miscarriage and/or infertility and coagulant defects.