Indications of Immunotherapy

The immune system finds and defends the body from infection and disease. Immunotherapy enhances or suppresses the immune system’s response to disease. In addition to the medical conditions listed below, immunotherapy is tested in wound healing and other chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis.

1. Cancer Treatment
Immunotherapy is a key component of cancer care at present. Specific inhibitors prevent cancer cells from avoiding immune detection by inhibiting immunological checkpoint proteins. This improves the immune system’s ability to identify and combat cancer cells. Cancer-specific antigens are targeted by monoclonal antibodies and vaccines for cancers such as breast cancer in immunotherapy.

2. Autoimmune Disorders
Immunotherapy is used to alter immune responses to fight autoimmune diseases. Psoriatic arthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disorders are treated with biologic drugs that reduce inflammation and provide relief.

3. Infectious Diseases
Immunotherapy has shown promise in the fight against TB, hepatitis B, and HIV. By increasing particular immune responses or focusing on infected cells, immune-modulating medications are being created to improve the body’s capacity to eradicate these chronic infections.

4. Neurological Defects
Immunotherapy may be useful in autoimmune brain diseases and multiple sclerosis. Certain immunotherapy techniques include producing a suppressor effect, modifying activated T cells, eliminating helper/inducer cells, and modifying antigen-specific cells for the treatment.

References:
1. Immune checkpoint inhibitors. (2022, April 7). Cancer.gov. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/immunotherapy/checkpoint-inhibitors

2. Crosby, E. J., Hartman, Z. C., & Lyerly, H. K. (2023). Beyond Neoantigens: Antigens Derived from Tumor Drivers as Cancer Vaccine Targets. Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, 29(17), 3256–3258. https://doi.org/10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-23-1244

3. Jung, S. M., & Kim, W. U. (2022). Targeted Immunotherapy for Autoimmune Disease. Immune network, 22(1), e9. https://doi.org/10.4110/in.2022.22.e9

4. Wallis, R. S., O’Garra, A., Sher, A., & Wack, A. (2023). Host-directed immunotherapy of viral and bacterial infections: past, present and future. Nature reviews. Immunology, 23(2), 121–133. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41577-022-00734-z

5. Weiner, H. L., & Hafler, D. A. (1988). Immunotherapy of multiple sclerosis. Annals of neurology, 23(3), 211–222. https://doi.org/10.1002/ana.410230302