Immunotherapy of immune-mediated diseases

Owing to advances in knowledge of the basic mechanisms of the immune response, pathogenetic mechanisms in animal models of human disease and genetic and pathogenetic processes in human disease itself, it is now possible not only to speculate on but to apply novel immunotherapeutic treatments to immune-mediated human diseases. Some of these regimens have already shown therapeutic promise but in order to assess their effectiveness, optimum mode of administration and possible short- and long-term side-effects, multicentre controlled clinical trials are clearly required. Such work is already underway.