Immunrekonstruktion

Immunrekonstruktion refers to the process of restoring or rebuilding a compromised or absent immune system. This is often necessary in individuals who have undergone treatments that deplete their immune defenses, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer, or in those born with primary immunodeficiencies. The goal is to re-establish a functional immune system capable of protecting the body from infections and other diseases.

One primary method of immunrekonstruktion is hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), also known as bone marrow transplantation. In this procedure, stem cells, which are responsible for producing all types of blood cells including immune cells, are transplanted from a healthy donor into the recipient. These transplanted stem cells then engraft and begin to produce new, functional immune cells, gradually reconstituting the patient's immune system. The success of HSCT relies on finding a suitable donor and managing potential complications like graft-versus-host disease.

Another aspect of immunrekonstruktion can involve therapeutic interventions aimed at stimulating specific components of the immune system. This might include the use of cytokines, growth factors, or adoptive cell therapies, such as CAR T-cell therapy, where a patient's own immune cells are genetically modified to better target and destroy cancer cells. The field of immunrekonstruktion is continuously evolving with ongoing research into novel strategies to enhance immune recovery and resilience.