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From immunosuppression to immunomodulation: current principles and future strategies.
1Autoimmunity, Transplantation and Inflammation, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research Basel, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland.
Pathobiology : Journal of Immunopathology, Molecular and Cellular Biology
|September 10, 2013
Summary
Understanding immune responses has advanced, but selectively suppressing autoimmunity without increasing infection risk remains a challenge. This review covers current immunosuppressive drugs and new developments in immunomodulatory principles.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Significant progress in understanding immune responses, autoimmunity, transplant rejection, and inflammatory disorders.
- Current immunosuppressive therapies risk increased infections and malignancy, highlighting the need for selective immune interference.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms of currently used immunosuppressive agents.
- To discuss recent advancements in novel immunomodulatory principles.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on immunosuppressive agents.
- Analysis of recent research in immunomodulatory drug discovery.
Main Results:
- First-generation immunosuppressants (steroids, methotrexate, cyclosporin A) remain clinically valuable despite side effects.
- Ongoing research focuses on developing novel agents for selective immune modulation.
Conclusions:
- Selective interference with detrimental immune responses is a persistent challenge.
- Development of new immunomodulatory principles is crucial for improving therapeutic outcomes in autoimmune diseases and transplant rejection.
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