LIT Therapy and Treatment: Everything You Need to Know

Posted by Dr. (Mrs.) Manisha Mehta on

In the world of reproductive health, there’s a growing recognition of immunological factors that can impact fertility, especially for couples who experience recurrent pregnancy loss or unexplained infertility. One treatment that has garnered attention for addressing these issues is Lymphocyte Immunization Therapy (LIT). 

This therapeutic approach is designed to improve immune compatibility between partners, increasing the likelihood of a successful pregnancy for couples who may otherwise struggle to conceive or carry to term. However, a lot of couples struggling to conceive a baby are not familiar with this new-aged infertility treatment.

That's why Apex Hospital brings an extensive guide explaining everything about Lymphocyte Immunization Therapy including: 

• What is LIT therapy? 

• What is the relevance and use cases of LIT therapy? 

• How does LIT therapy deliver results in IVF? 

By gaining a better understanding of LIT, prospective parents dealing with immune-related infertility can explore this option more confidently. Read on!

What is Lymphocyte Immunization Therapy (LIT)?

Lymphocyte Immunization Therapy (LIT) is a specialized fertility treatment designed to address immune system factors that may interfere with pregnancy. LIT involves injecting lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell, from the male partner (or sometimes a donor) into the female partner. The procedure improves immune compatibility by training the mother’s immune system to recognize and tolerate the foreign cells in the embryo, which shares the father’s genetic material.

The rationale behind LIT is that in some cases of recurrent miscarriage, the mother’s immune system mistakenly identifies the embryo as a foreign entity and mounts an immune response against it. By exposing the female partner to the male’s cells in a controlled way, LIT can potentially desensitize her immune system, encouraging it to “accept” the embryo as part of the body rather than perceiving it as a threat.

What is the relevance and suitability of LIT?

LIT Therapy is generally considered for couples facing specific immunological challenges related to fertility. While not a primary solution for all infertility cases, LIT may be helpful in the following situations:

Recurrent Miscarriage: For women who have experienced multiple miscarriages especially those with hormonal or genetic causes, immunological factors may be considered. LIT can assist in increasing the maternal immune tolerance and thereby reducing chances of immune-related miscarriage.

Unexplained Infertility: In a case where no cause for infertility has been identified after a comprehensive evaluation, immune factors are occasionally blamed. LIT can be considered as a suggested test if the immune-related issue is a contributing factor. 

Failure of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): Couples who are unable to conceive after undergoing a series of In Vitro Fertilization cycles may possess an underlying immunological incompatibility. In case of the absence of any other suitable medical explanation, LIT can be introduced as an adjuvant treatment.

Presence of Anti-Paternal Antibodies: Some immunological tests help identify whether the patient has developed antibodies against the partner's cells, which can impair embryo adhesion or lead to subsequent miscarriage. LIT treatment may target these antibodies and enhance the chances of pregnancy succeeding.

How LIT Treatment Works?

The process of undergoing LIT Therapy is relatively straightforward but requires careful coordination between the couple and the healthcare provider. Here’s what the treatment process generally entails:

Testing and Preparation

Before undergoing LIT, both partners undergo an assessment before ensure that the therapy is appropriate and safe. This may also involve taking immunological tests to investigate which immune factors could disrupt pregnancy, including antiphospholipid antibodies, natural killer cell activity, or anti-paternal antibodies.

Following the assessment and recommendation for LIT of the couple, blood from the male partner is drawn and subsequently the lymphocytes of the blood are isolated. If for any reason the male partner’s lymphocytes are unsuitable (for example, due to health issues or personal reasons), then lymphocytes from a donor may be used instead.

Injection Procedure

Following the lymphocyte processing, the woman is injected with a minimal dose of the male partner's (or donor's) white blood cells into her forearm. This is intended to elicit an immune response and more importantly, train the immune system to accept the foreign cells as non-threatening, thus enhancing tolerability towards the developing embryo.

In the majority of cases, the procedure comprises two to three injections, spaced several weeks apart, however, protocols may vary depending on the clinic and the specific requirements of the patient. The objective is to enhance the immune status before conception or before an embryo transfer.

Follow-Up and Monitoring

After the LIT injections, couples are usually monitored to assess immune response and ensure there are no adverse reactions. Follow-up immune testing may be done to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy, particularly in cases where immune markers have been identified prior to treatment.

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What are the Benefits and Success Rates of LIT Treatment?

LIT Therapy has proven effective for certain couples, especially for those battling immunological infertility or recurrent pregnancy loss. Research suggests LIT may enhance pregnancy success rates in some cases where immune compromise is present. As an example, a clinical trial done on women with a history of recurrent miscarriage showed promising results. LIT was successfully performed for almost all reported pregnancy rates of between 60-80% after the treatment, although higher extremes have been observed.

It should be emphasized, however, that this is not a magical cure. The results also depend on the type of immune disorder, as well as the general health of the couple and possibly other reproductive problems. Couples should explore their case deeply with a reproductive immunology specialist to see if LIT may work for them.

Why Apex Hospital for Lymphocyte Immunization Therapy (LIT)?

Experienced Specialists: Apex Hospital’s team includes highly trained reproductive immunologists and fertility specialists who specialize in LIP and are dedicated to patient-centered care.

Personalized Treatment Plans: The immunological status of every patient is analyzed and individual LIT protocols designed due to this necessity are put into practice, allowing us to deliver appropriate care.

Advanced Facilities: To ensure quality services, IVF experts at Apex work with the latest equipment and technologies to guarantee safety while at the same time minimizing the risks to enhance the patient's confidence.

Comprehensive Support: Yes, every patient is counseled before the treatment and cared for after the treatment which allows the patients to feel comfortable at all levels.

Track Record of Success: Apex Hospital has a history of positive outcomes in most modern fertility treatments, making our infertility center in India a reliable choice for local as well as international couples with recurrent pregnancy complications or infertility of unknown origin.

Choosing Apex Hospital means entrusting your LIT care to a facility that combines expertise, advanced care, and compassionate support for the best chance of a healthy, successful pregnancy.

Lymphocyte Immunization Therapy (LIT): Conclusion

Lymphocyte Immunization Therapy primarily helps couples facing recurrent miscarriage or unexplained infertility due to immunological factors. While the treatment is still new, it has assisted a lot of couples with complex reproductive issues. For those exploring other options, in vitro fertilization (IVF) remains a highly effective treatment that can be tailored to address specific fertility challenges.

Apex Hospital is one of the leading infertility and IVF centers in India with deep expertise in modern fertility treatments. Call us at 91680 39000 to discuss your pregnancy goals. 

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