Immunomodulaatioon

Immunomodulaatioon is the process of altering the activity of the immune system to achieve a therapeutic goal. It can involve enhancing immune responses against infections or tumors or dampening excessive or misdirected immunity in autoimmune diseases, allergies, or during organ transplantation.

Mechanisms include drugs, biologics, vaccines, cell-based therapies, and lifestyle factors that influence immune function. Modulation can affect both innate and adaptive immunity, including T and B lymphocytes, natural killer cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, and the networks of cytokines and signaling pathways that coordinate responses.

Applications span cancer, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, infectious diseases, and transplantation. In cancer, immunomodulation underlies therapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T cell therapy. In autoimmune diseases, immunosuppressants and targeted biologics are used to reduce damaging immune activity. Vaccination and certain adjuvants modulate protective immunity.

Categories of immunomodulation include immunostimulants (for example interferons and certain interleukins), immunosuppressants (corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, methotrexate), and immune checkpoint modulators (PD-1/PD-L1, CTLA-4 inhibitors). Natural products, nutrition, and lifestyle factors are also studied for their potential modulatory effects on immune function.

Safety and effectiveness depend on balancing benefits and risks. Potential issues include infections from over-suppression, autoimmune phenomena from over-activation, and off-target effects. Ongoing research emphasizes personalized approaches, biomarkers, and careful regulatory oversight to optimize immunomodulaatioon strategies.