Immunotherapies for Ischemic Stroke Patients: Current Status and Future Directions

Ischemic stroke occurs when a thrombus forms within a blood vessel in the brain. This results in reduced levels of oxygen and glucose, leading to the death of cells and a reduction in function. There are several molecular signaling cascades that commence after the onset of an ischemic stroke; these include increases in apoptosis, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, as well as others. The aim of this review is to provide an updated synthesis of the impact ischemic stroke has on the immune system and how the immune system can be targeted to improve outcomes post-stroke.

In this review, we have included both clinical and pre-clinical studies and provide a discussion for future directions given our synthesis of the data.

It is evident that reducing neuroinflammation is an important component of reducing brain tissue loss and functional impairments after stroke. A combination of therapies may be more effective for stroke-affected patients. This could include reducing neuroinflammation through immune therapies, in combination with some pharmaceuticals specific to the patient's needs. Furthermore, sex differences are highly prevalent in ischemic stroke outcomes. These differences can inform us of the best sex-specific interventions, treatments, or techniques that should be used in healthcare to ensure lower mortality rates and higher quality of life for all. Therapeutic development for ischemic stroke is needed, and this review highlights that targeting the immune system could lead to better outcomes for patients.