Study summary · research use only
T-cell adjuvants
Plain-language summary
Paraphrased from the published abstract below — not a verdict on whether anything works.
This review discusses T-cell adjuvants, agents used to preferentially stimulate delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH). The abstract states that traditional adjuvants like Alum, Freunds, muramyl peptides, and endotoxins are not selective, while natural infection may yield selective DTH. Low dose cyclophosphamide (CY) with mycobacteria is described as the first experimental T-cell adjuvant. Newer formulations (ISCOMS, MAPS) with synthetic T-cell epitopes are noted. The authors discuss upregulation of TH-1 helper cells with interleukins such as IL-2, IL-12, and gamma IFN, or antibodies to IL-4 and IL-10, and transfection of tumor cells with cytokine genes. Thymomimetic peptides such as thymosin alpha 1, and drugs such as levamisole or isoprinosine, are described as being explored for cancer and infections including HIV.
Abstract
T-cell adjuvancy involves the use of agents to stimulate preferentially delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH). Traditional adjuvants like Alum, Freunds, muramyl peptides, and endotoxins are not selective. Natural infection (e.g. vaccinia) may yield selective DTH. Low dose cyclophosphamide (CY) with mycobacteria was the first experimental T-cell adjuvant. New adjuvant formulations (ISCOMS, MAPS, etc.) with synthetic T-cell epitopes offer improved formulations. Upregulation of TH-1 helper cells and their actions with interleukins like IL-2, IL-12, and gamma IFN or antibodies to IL-4 and IL-10 may augment potently pathogen and tumor resistance. Similarly, transfection of tumor target cells with genes for IL-2, IL-12, gamma IFN, etc., offers novel vaccine treatment approaches. Finally, "thymomimetic" peptides like thymosin alpha 1 or drugs like levamisole or isoprinosine alone or in conjunction with interleukins may augment TH-1 and DTH responses. These approaches are seeing increasing emphasis in new treatment strategies for cancer and infections like HIV.
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