The skin has become a convenient target for delivering immunomodulatory and immunotherapeutic agents for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, infections, and cancer.
- Skin contains resident immune cells, which can become targets for promoting immune tolerance or priming an immune response;
- Skin is the primary route for vaccination and inducing immune tolerance;
- Nanotechnology allows targeted and safe delivery of drugs, immunomodulators, and antigens.
With the advent of engineered antibodies and new nano drugs, transdermal immune modulation becomes a preferable route for many different types of treatment.
Reference:
“Targeted drug delivery to melanoma” – ScienceDirect. Accessed March 28, 2019.
Link.
Searching for weapons against herpesvirus
Reactivation of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV6) is a leading cause of potentially lethal consequences in transplant recipients. In order to prevent them, it is necessary to understand how the immune response is mounted in human bodies.
- A novel high throughput method was developed that allows finding T-cells epitopes to large genome viruses;
- This approach is now used to study responses of T cell to HHV6;
Studying the intricacies of T cell response to HHV6 will help in treatment against this infection in immunocompromised patients.
Reference:
“Frontiers | Advances in the Characterization of the T-Cell Response to Human Herpesvirus-6 | Immunology”. Accessed March 28, 2019.
Link.
The new HPV vaccine prevents infections in young men
A long-term study of the efficacy of newly developed quadrivalent HPV vaccine in young men was undertaken.
- Young men between 16-26 years old were given 3 doses of HPV vaccine;
- 917 participants in total were followed for approximately 11 ½ years;
- The men were evaluated for the presence of genital lesions or anal cancer post vaccination.
- No new cases of lesions, neoplasias or anal cancers were reported in the studied population.
The HPV vaccine provides durable protection and mitigates the risk of anal cancer development.
Reference:
“Long-term effectiveness and immunogenicity of quadrivalent HPV vaccine in young men: 10-year end-of study analysis.” – Journal of Clinical Oncology. Accessed March 28, 2019.
Link.
Thymosin alpha 1 as an important biomarker
Thymosin alpha 1 (Ta1) levels in the serum were evaluated in some different conditions.
- Ta1 is an indicator of immune dysregulation;
- An increase in Ta1 levels is observed in hepatitis B, multiple sclerosis and sepsis;
- Cystic fibrosis is associated with lower levels of Ta1;
The variability of Ta1 levels can be an indicator of the patient’s condition and also can be used for proper treatment prescription.
Reference:
“Serum thymosin alpha 1 levels in normal and pathological conditions” – tandfonline.com. Accessed March 28, 2019.
Link.
Peptide vaccines may be safer than traditional ones
Conventional vaccines against viral infections contain components that are immunogenic but can cause autoimmune reactions. It was proposed to use peptide vaccines instead.
- Using peptide vaccines means avoiding adjuvants that can potentially trigger inflammatory responses;
- Peptide vaccines do not get contaminated with non-viral proteins of cellular origin;
- Potential vaccine candidates can be selected both from capside proteins or non-structural viral peptides;
- The vaccines should activate both CD4 and cytotoxic CD8 T cells.
Peptide vaccines may be easier to manufacture using modern methods and would be safer to use in the long run.
Reference:
“Peptide Vaccines: New Trends for Avoiding the Autoimmune Response ~ Fulltext”. Accessed March 28, 2019.
Link.
As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cures. As we understand better how our immune system works, we can develop better vaccines, drugs and immune therapy agents to prevent debilitating conditions.
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