What Is LIT (Lymphocyte Immunization Therapy) And How Does It Work?

 Lymphocyte Immunization Therapy, or LIT, represents an advanced immunological treatment for women suffering from recurrent pregnancy loss and/or unexplained infertility. The immune system is central to pregnancy. In some situations, a developing fetus can mistakenly be identified by a woman’s body as a foreign object, provoking attendant complications or miscarriages. LIT modulates the immune response in such a way as to help a woman’s body learn tolerance towards the pregnancy, thereby increasing the chances for successful conception and full-term birth. 

How Does LIT Work? 

The LIT treatment involves taking lymphocytes from the male partner or a donor and injecting them into the partner’s body. The immune system is educated to tolerate the pregnancy rather than to attack it as foreign material. This procedure is based on the premise that a balanced immune response is essential to ensure the successful implantation and development of the embryo. 

Step-By-Step Process Of LIT 

1. Collection of Lymphocytes
   The male partner or a screened donor will have a little blood drawn. The blood is then processed in a lab to isolate the lymphocytes that are essential mediators in immune responses. 

2. Processing of White Blood Cells
   Once collected, lymphocytes undergo a purification process to remove extraneous components. This step guarantees that only the required immune cells are prepared for such treatments and that the injected cells are entirely safe and effective. 

3. Injection of Lymphocytes into the Female Partner
   These purified lymphocytes are then injected just below the skin, usually in the forearm of the female partner, over a set of sessions. Such injections help the immune system to recognize and accept, over time, inspired by a slight exposure to the male DNA, which in turn, lessens the chances of the immune system of the female partner rejecting the male’s genetic material in future pregnancies. 

4. Development of Immune Tolerance
   With time, the female immune system favors pregnancy, building our defense responses. This lowers the risk of miscarriage while enhancing the embryo’s implantation success and growth. 

Who Can Benefit From LIT? 

LIT is primarily recommended for couples who experience difficulties in carrying a pregnancy to term due to immune-related factors. It is beneficial for:

• Women who have Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: If a woman has had three or more successive miscarriages, LIT may help correct immune dysfunction that could be the cause of recurrent pregnancy failures. 
• Couples with Repeated IVF Failure: Women who have undergone multiple cycles of failed IVF may have underlying immune rejection issues that LIT can help resolve.
• Infertility due to immune problems: If immunological reasons have been thought to contribute to non-implantation or very early miscarriages, LIT can help enhance maternal-fetal immunocompatibility. 

Is LIT Safe? 

LIT is considered a low-risk and safe infertility treatment when performed by qualified  fertility specialists. However, like any medical treatment, it may have minor side effects, including:

• Injection Site Redness or Swelling: Some women experience swelling, itching, and redness for a few hours to days after the injection.
• Flu-like Symptoms: Fevers, fatigue, and muscle aches may happen temporarily as the immune system reacts to the treatment.
• Rare Allergic Reactions: While rare, a few women might experience allergic reactions that necessitate screening and monitoring before LIT. 

How Effective Is LIT? 

Immunological infertility treatment is known to significantly enhance pregnancy rates among women who have  recurrent pregnancy loss for immune-related reasons. Some studies suggest that implantation rates are increased and miscarriage rates reduced after treatment with the therapy. Outcome-based results vary widely for individual cases, however, and LIT is frequently combined with other fertility treatments to improve results. 

Conclusion

In couples suffering from recurrent pregnancy loss or repeated IVF failures, Lymphocyte Immunization Therapy (LIT) offers hope and hence seems to be a viable solution. In LIT, the immune system is educated to accept a pregnancy to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy and a healthy baby. Contacting a fertility specialist would determine if LIT is the answer for women planning on conceiving but who are finding it challenging to carry pregnancies to full term. 

For more information on LIT and other fertility treatments, visit ICPRM and explore expert-guided solutions for a successful pregnancy.

FAQs

1. What is Lymphocyte Immunization Therapy (LIT)?
   LIT is an immunotherapy treatment that helps women with recurrent pregnancy loss or unexplained infertility by training their immune system to tolerate the fetus, reducing the risk of miscarriage.
2. How does LIT improve pregnancy success?
   LIT works by injecting processed lymphocytes from the male partner or a donor into the woman, helping her immune system recognize and accept the pregnancy rather than rejecting it.
3. Who should consider LIT?
   LIT is recommended for women with recurrent pregnancy loss, repeated IVF failures, or infertility due to immune-related issues that prevent proper embryo implantation.
4. Is LIT a safe procedure?
   Yes, LIT is generally safe when performed by specialists. However, minor side effects such as redness at the injection site, mild flu-like symptoms, or rare allergic reactions may occur.
5. How many LIT sessions are needed for effectiveness?
   The number of sessions varies based on individual cases. Typically, multiple injections are required over a period of time, and follow-up treatments may be necessary for lasting immune tolerance.
6. Can LIT be combined with other fertility treatments?
   Yes, LIT is often used alongside IVF and other fertility treatments to improve implantation success rates and reduce the chances of miscarriage.