Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy

Immunotherapy and Immunopharmacology

Immunotherapy:

Immunotherapy enhances or suppresses the immune system to fight diseases. It is widely used in cancer treatment and managing immune-related disorders.

Key Types of Immunotherapy:

1. Checkpoint Inhibitors: Drugs that block immune checkpoints (e.g., PD-1, CTLA-4) to help immune cells attack cancer cells.
2. CAR-T Cell Therapy: Genetically engineering a patient’s T cells to target and kill cancer cells.
3. Cancer Vaccines: Stimulating the immune system to recognize and attack cancer-specific antigens.
4. Monoclonal Antibodies: Lab-engineered antibodies designed to target specific proteins on pathogens or cancer cells.
5. Cytokine Therapies: Using immune-signaling molecules like interferons or interleukins to enhance immune responses.

Immunopharmacology:

Immunopharmacology studies how drugs interact with the immune system to modify immune responses, including:

1. Immunosuppressants: Used to prevent organ transplant rejection or treat autoimmune diseases (e.g., corticosteroids, cyclosporine).
2. Immunostimulants: Enhance immune function to fight infections, cancers, or vaccines (e.g., adjuvants in vaccines).
3. Autoimmune Treatments: Developing drugs to selectively target immune pathways in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.