Contributions of basic immunology to human health

Considerable progress has been achieved in immunology and the development of novel immunological intervention strategies. In this review some new concepts in immunology, and particularly the role played by T cells, are discussed: new ideas on the pathogenesis and possible treatment of autoimmune diseases, on the pathogenesis and immunological treatment of HIV infections, new approaches to transplantation, novel concepts in tumour immunology and cancer immunotherapy and the development of new (molecular) vaccines against infectious diseases. It is anticipated that these new concepts will lead to novel immunological drugs.