Immune Therapy

Immune therapy is designed to bolster the immune system, so that it can more effectively do its job. It is often used to help fight cancer and HIV. Some common immune therapies follow:

Interleukin-2 (IL-2)

Cytokines are chemical messengers secreted by immune cells which co-ordinate and control the intricate workings of the immune system. IL-2 is a type of cytokine which encourages the growth of CD4 T-cells. Genetically engineered, or recombinant, IL-2 is being tested as an immune therapy for people with HIV.

Remune

Remune is a therapeutic vaccine made from HIV particles which have been made harmless. By injecting such particles into people who are already HIV infected, the immune system is stimulated to produce a greater response to real virus particles.

Interferon

Interferon is a substance produced by white blood cells in response to viral infections. It is very expensive and has toxic side effects. At one time, it was hoped that interferon would be useful in a variety of cancers, but its use is limited now to the treatment of hairy cell leukemia and juvenile laryngeal papillomatosis.

Monoclonal Antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies are synthetic antibodies made by splicing the patient's cancer cell genes into the genes of his white cells. The resulting cells, when injected into the body, are supposed to manufacture antibodies specific to the cancer, to which chemotherapeutic agents can be attached.