Active immunotherapy
| Active immunotherapy | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | immunology |
Active immunotherapy is a type of
- Non-specific active immunotherapy: generating a general immune system response using cytokines and other cell signaling molecules.[6]
- Specific active immunotherapy: the generation of cell-mediated and antibody immune responses focused on vaccine platform.[5]
Active immunotherapies fall under the category of
Non-specific active immunotherapy
Non-specific active immunotherapy is administered with the overall goal of generally eliminating malignant pathogens or cells from the host system.[5] This treatment stimulates the immune system in a general sense, rather than specifically targeting a cell type e.g. cancer cells. Non-specific approaches aim to create a robust immune response that would lead to the eventual killing of malignant cells through immunomodulators such as cytokines.[6]
Cytokines
Immunomodulating agents regulate the immune system's response and are produced by various immune cells. These agents include the following agents and markers:
| Class | Examples |
|---|---|
| Cytokines | Ig, Interferons, TNF |
| Chemokines | CXC, CC, CX3C, XC |
| Interleukins | IL-2, IL-7, 1L-10, 1L-12 |
BCG Vaccine
The BCG vaccine has been used against tuberculosis, mycobacteria, and various cancers in the form of vaccination as an initial immune system stimulant.[7] In cancer, the anti-tumor immunological effects are elicited by the host's immune response and the BCG infection against the tumor cells, most commonly in bladder cancer.[7] The immune activation allows for further recognition and elimination of malignant tumor cells.[7]
Specific active immunotherapy
Specific active immunotherapy administers a specific antigen as the therapy. The therapy allows the host to create an antigen-specific response with the development of antibodies, proliferation of cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses, or both, directed at the desired pathogen or malignant tumor cell in the case of cancer therapy.[5]
Vaccine Therapies
Vaccine therapies are a type of specific active immunotherapy. Vaccine therapies deliver various agents that will lead to a specific immune response e.g. antibody development or CTL response.[5] Tumor antigens have been a main target in specific active immunotherapy by way of vaccination. Tumor antigens are antigens produced by tumor cells and can be common among patients with the same cancer-type, or unique to a particular patient. Their specificity to malignant tumor cells makes tumor antigens ideal candidates for vaccination.[2]
See also
- Cancer vaccine
- C-Met#Active immunotherapy,
- Alzheimer's disease clinical research#Active immunotherapy,
- Mantle cell lymphoma § Immunotherapy,