Autologues

Autologues are a type of immune cell or molecule that originates from within an individual's own body. This concept is particularly relevant in the fields of medicine and biology, especially in relation to transplantation and immunotherapy. When referring to cells, autologous cells are those taken from one part of a person's body and transplanted or reintroduced into another part of the same person's body. This avoids the immune system's rejection response that can occur with allogeneic transplants, where cells or tissues come from a different individual.

In the context of immunotherapy, autologous cells are often collected, modified, and then reinfused into the patient. For example, autologous T-cells can be genetically engineered to target cancer cells, a process known as CAR T-cell therapy. Similarly, autologous stem cell transplantation uses a patient's own stem cells, typically harvested before high-dose chemotherapy or radiation treatment, to help the body recover afterward. The primary advantage of using autologous material is the absence of histocompatibility antigens that would otherwise trigger an immune response, making the treatment safer and more effective for the individual. The term "autologous" emphasizes the self-origin of the biological material being used.