Paternal Leukocyte Injection (PLI) or Leukocyte Immune Therapy (LIT)
Treating Multiple Miscarriages with PLI or LIT
It is generally agreed upon by many that the immune system is involved in
multiple miscarriages. Multiple miscarriages are also referred to as recurrent pregnancy loss,
which is defined as three or more failed pregnancies. Since 1998, PLI
has been one of the most successful therapies used to prevent multiple
miscarriages. It is no longer approved by the FDA(not due to complications
, but cecause of an assessment back in the 1990's that it did not
work) and therefore is currently unavailable in the US.
The studies on PLI and LIT in Europe and the clinics that actively use
this therapy have shown significant success. The problem in this country
was that a key element necessary for success disappeared from the surface
of the cells when they were refrigerated over night , a problem solved
by the research performed outside this country. The theory behind the
therapy is to introduce the father's genetics to the mother's
immune system by injection of prepared specimens of the father's white
blood cells under the mother's skin. This triggers certain immune
cells that take this information to the lymph nodes and begins the process of:
- Producing antibodies that attack any cells that were programmed to attack
and deactivate the embryo
- Increasing the number of cells that play a critical part in the development
of immune tolerance
- Protecting the fetus from attack from the mother's activated immune cells
One of the largest PLI centers in the world is located in Nogales, Mexico.
Treatment is also available in Athens and London. The problem with PLI
is that the diagnostic tests used to determine its need i.e . the LAD
or Luekocyte Antibody Detection do not provide the necessary information
to assess the need for treatment. Here at Braverman IVF & Reproductive
Immunology, our advanced HLA and antibody screens provide much more detail
and therefore a more precise assessment for the need of PLI or LIT a therapy
that still requires a trip out of the country. If you have had multiple
miscarriages, contact Dr. Braverman for advice. He will review your case
and give you valuable information on possible
treatments for your condition.
Braverman IVF & Reproductive Immunology: Helping You Get Pregnant After
a Miscarriage
Dr. Jeffery Braverman has been treating patients with complications related
to recurrent pregnancy loss for over 20 years, and is one of the nation's
leading authorities in the field of
reproductive immunology. The clinic treats all
causes of recurrent pregnancy loss, and performs full IVF and IUI services.