Plasma is the liquid component of blood that remains after red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and other cellular components are removed. It transports nutrients, wastes, hormones, and blood cells through the circulatory system. However, blood plasma also holds the potential for life-saving medical treatments through plasma derivatives. These products are extracted and purified from donated human plasma and used globally to treat a variety of serious and often rare diseases. Let's take a deeper look at some of these important blood plasma derivatives.

Immunoglobulins
Immunoglobulins, also known as antibodies, are proteins that are produced by plasma cells to help identify and neutralize pathogens like bacteria and viruses. The four major types of immunoglobulins extracted from plasma are IgG, IgA, IgM, and IgE. IgG immunoglobulin products are commonly used to treat patients with primary immunodeficiencies, where the body is unable to naturally produce enough antibodies to fight infection. These products boost the person's defense against bacteria and viruses that could cause pneumonia, meningitis and other serious illnesses.

Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG)
The most common immunoglobulin treatment is intravenous immunoglobulin, also known as IVIG. It contains antibodies from thousands of donated plasma units pooled together. IVIG is administered directly into the bloodstream through an IV to treat a wide range of diseases including Kawasaki disease, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). By providing patients with a broad range of antibodies, IVIG helps regulate the immune system and reduce harmful inflammation. It has become a standard treatment for numerous conditions.

Clotting Factors
For patients suffering from hemophilia A and B, clotting factors extracted from Blood Plasma Derivatives are critical therapies. Hemophilia is a genetic bleeding disorder where the blood does not clot properly due to missing or defective clotting factors, predominantly factor VIII for hemophilia A and factor IX for hemophilia B. Purified and concentrated forms of these clotting factors, such as plasma-derived or recombinant factor VIII and IX, are administered to hemophilia patients as a preventative treatment or to stop bleeding episodes. Without access to clotting factor therapies, even minor injuries can become life-threatening for hemophiliacs.

Albumin
Albumin is the most abundant protein found in blood plasma. It functions as a carrier molecule and helps regulate blood volume and pressure. Purified human albumin is used as an important volume expander during surgeries, major trauma cases and burn emergencies when large amounts of fluid replacement are needed. It reduces the risks associated with using artificial fluids alone and aids in stabilizing patients. Albumin is also administered to treat conditions causing low albumin blood levels like liver failure and nephrotic syndrome.

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin
Extracted from plasma, alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) is a protein that inhibits excess neutrophil elastase activity in the lungs. A hereditary deficiency in AAT can lead to early-onset pulmonary emphysema and liver disease. Replacement therapy with purified human AAT is available to slow lung tissue damage for patients with this condition. Only 300-400 patients access this treatment globally each month, even though AAT deficiency is actually more common than once believed. Plasma-derived AAT is the standard replacement therapy prescribed to prolong lung function.

Hyperimmune Globulins
For individuals at risk of exposure to certain infections, hyperimmune globulins are plasma derivatives containing highly concentrated antibodies against specific diseases. Some examples include hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) for newborns at risk of hepatitis B infection, rabies immunoglobulin for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis, varicella zoster immunoglobulin for chickenpox exposure, and Cytomegalovirus (CMV) immunoglobulin for transplant recipients. By providing immediate, short-term immunity against targeted infections, hyperimmune globulins are valuable when vaccination is not possible or may not provide quick enough protection.

Role of Non-Profit Fractionators
Meeting the global demand for these life-saving plasma derivatives would not be possible without the role of specialized blood plasma fractionation facilities. Companies like CSL Behring, Grifols, Kedrion Biopharma, BPL and others support the collection of millions of plasma donations annually. Using specialized purification and viral inactivation/elimination processes, they separate plasma into its constituent derivatives according to precise recipes and quality standards set by regulatory agencies like the FDA. These nonprofit fractionators work collaboratively with blood collection agencies and patient advocacy groups to help ensure supply of therapies for those relying on replacement. Their manufacturing expertise is crucial for producing safe and effective plasma medicines for patients worldwide.

Through the generous plasma donations of volunteers and the dedicated work of the fractionation industry, plasma derivatives have become indispensable treatments reaching millions of lives each year. By purifying the proteins and clotting factors found naturally in blood, modern medicine gains targeted therapies to remedy conditions once considered a death sentence. Constant research and manufacturing improvements also allow for optimizing product purity, safety, efficacy and availability on an international scale. We must continue supporting plasma donation programs to guarantee that these life-saving commodities remain accessible to all who need them.

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