What are Blood Plasma Derivatives?
Plasma derivatives refer to the valuable medicinal products that are extracted and purified from donated human blood plasma. Blood plasma is the liquid component of blood that remains after red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and other cellular components are removed. It accounts for about 55% of total blood volume and contains water, salts, enzymes and other proteins vital for circulation and clotting.
Therapeutic Blood Plasma Derivatives
One of the most widely used plasma derivatives are therapeutic immunoglobulins. Also known as intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), these products contain concentrated antibodies (immunoglobulins) extracted from donor plasma that help fight infections. IVIG is used to treat various primary and secondary immune deficiency disorders where the body lacks sufficient antibodies to fight infections. It is also prescribed for certain autoimmune disorders and neurological conditions. Manufacturers carefully screen and test donor plasma to ensure IVIG products are free from infectious agents and safe for patient use.
Coagulation Factors
Blood Plasma Derivatives also include various blood coagulation factors extracted and purified for treating bleeding and clotting disorders. Hemophilia A which results from a deficiency in coagulation factor VIII is treated with factor VIII concentrate derived from donor plasma. Similarly, factor IX concentrate helps treat Hemophilia B caused by factor IX deficiency. Prothrombin complex concentrates containing factors II, VII, IX and X are prescribed for treating warfarin-associated coagulopathy. Rigorous plasma collection and manufacturing standards guarantee the purity and potency of these life-saving clotting factor products.
Albumin
Albumin extracted from plasma is another widely used derivative. As the most abundant blood plasma protein, albumin helps maintain proper circulation volume and acts as an important transport protein. Derived albumin finds applications in the treatment of various medical conditions like liver disease, burns, shock, trauma and surgery where rapid volume expansion is needed. It also serves as a stabilizing and bulking agent in intravenous therapies involving certain drugs and vaccines.
Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) or IGIV is a plasma derivative prepared from donated plasma undergoing extensive viral inactivation and removal processes. It mainly contains purified IgG antibodies used to treat primary humoral immunodeficiencies, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and other neurologic conditions.
Gamma Globulin
Gamma globulin or IgG contains concentrated IgG antibodies extracted from plasma. It comes in both intramuscular (IM) and intravenous (IV) formulations. The intramuscular form boosts antibody levels and is commonly prescribed for measles prevention after exposure. IV gamma globulin finds therapeutic use against various infectious diseases and autoimmune disorders similar to IVIG. As the plasma derivative accounts for about 70% of the total IgG in blood, adequate and sustained levels can provide passive immunity against many viral and bacterial infections.
Alpha 1-Proteinase Inhibitor
Alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor or A1PI is another plasma derivative used medically. Naturally present in blood plasma, A1PI helps regulate enzymes of the lung and protects tissues from damage during inflammation. It is administered intravenously to people with congenital A1PI deficiency, a condition that can lead to early-onset emphysema due to tissue destruction in the lungs. Purified A1PI helps preserve lung function in such patients by replacing their missing or non-functioning A1PI.
Role of Plasma Collection Centers
The life-saving plasma derivatives are manufactured by specialized pharmaceutical companies from plasma collected at FDA-approved plasma donation centers. Donors undergo medical screening and their plasma is tested for transfusion-transmissible infections like HIV, hepatitis and others before processing. The plasma is transported under regulated conditions to manufacturing facilities with advanced technology and equipment to fractionate it into therapeutic components through multiple purification steps. Rigorous quality controls ensure each plasma derivative meets stringent safety, purity and potency specifications stipulated by global regulatory agencies to benefit patients worldwide.
plasma derivatives extracted from donated blood have benefited countless individuals over the decades through their life-extending and life-saving applications. Advances in plasma collection techniques and manufacturing processes continue to enhance the supply of these invaluable medicines extracted from a renewable human resource. Their wide availability and use exemplifies how medical science leverages nature’s finest to alleviate human suffering.
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