adjuvanter

Adjuvanter, or adjuvants, are substances or interventions added to a primary medical treatment to enhance its effectiveness. The term comes from Latin adjuvare, meaning to help. Adjuvant use is common in vaccines and in cancer therapy, as well as in other diseases, where the goal is to boost efficacy, reduce the needed dose, or prolong the therapeutic effect. In oncology, adjuvant therapy is typically given after the primary treatment to reduce the risk of recurrence or metastasis.

In vaccines, adjuvants stimulate the innate immune system to improve the adaptive response to an antigen. They may act by creating a depot, enhancing antigen uptake and presentation, or activating pattern recognition receptors. Common adjuvants include aluminum salts (alum), oil-in-water emulsions such as MF59 and AS03, liposomes, and toll-like receptor agonists like CpG motifs or MPL. Modern adjuvants can influence the quality of the immune response, affecting antibody production, T-helper cell polarization, and cellular immunity. Regulatory assessment requires demonstration of safety and efficacy, as adjuvants are active components rather than inert carriers.

In oncology, adjuvant therapy refers to additional treatment following the primary intervention, usually surgery, aimed at reducing recurrence and improving survival. Examples include adjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or endocrine therapy, chosen based on cancer type, stage, and patient factors. While adjuvant treatments can offer meaningful benefits, they also add toxicity, requiring a careful risk–benefit assessment. Research continues to develop new adjuvants to broaden applicability and mitigate adverse effects.