Principles of Immunotherapy: Implications for Treatment Strategies in Cancer and Infectious Diseases

Abstract

The advances in cancer biology and pathogenesis during the past two decades, have resulted in immunotherapeutic strategies that have revolutionized the treatment of malignancies, from relatively non-selective toxic agents to specific, mechanism-based therapies. Despite extensive global efforts, infectious diseases remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, necessitating novel, innovative therapeutics that address the current challenges of increasing antimicrobial resistance. Similar to cancer pathogenesis, infectious pathogens successfully fashion a hospitable environment within the host and modulate host metabolic functions to support their nutritional requirements, while suppressing host defenses by altering regulatory mechanisms. These parallels, and the advances made in targeted therapy in cancer, may inform the rational development of therapeutic interventions for infectious diseases. Although “immunotherapy” is habitually associated with the treatment of cancer, this review accentuates the evolving role of key targeted immune interventions that are approved, as well as those in development, for various cancers and infectious diseases. The general features of adoptive therapies, those that enhance T cell effector function, and ligand-based therapies, that neutralize or eliminate diseased cells, are discussed in the context of specific diseases that, to date, lack appropriate remedial treatment; cancer, HIV, TB, and drug-resistant bacterial and fungal infections. The remarkable diversity and versatility that distinguishes immunotherapy is emphasized, consequently establishing this approach within the armory of curative therapeutics, applicable across the disease spectrum.

Regenerative Medicine in COVID-19 Treatment: Real Opportunities and Range of Promises

“…Immunotherapeutic approaches have been extensively used in the treatment of cancer [27,28], autoimmune diseases [29,30], and other immune system-related diseases [31,32]. They can be adopted to ameliorate immune responses in COVID-19.…”

Immune-mediated approaches against COVID-19

“…Additional approaches focus on the reduction of cytokine secretion. Cytokines are protein mediators that provide signals crucial for key biological processes including immunity, cell proliferation and inflammation, wound healing and repair, cell migration, fibrosis and angiogenesis 163 . High levels of transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1) 26,27 have been detected in SARS patients, being related to the development of pulmonary fibrosis and to the reduction in apoptosis of SARS-CoV-infected cells 164 .…”

Amyloidosis and Renal Disease in Patients with Crohn's Disease

“…The host response to an infection or acute injury comprises a robust neutrophilic inflammatory response [22]. As is often the case in inflammation, this is a "double-edged sword," and this robust protective response can also be detrimental to the host tissue as host response to many acute tissue attacks, such as ischemia followed by reperfusion, induces a neutrophil-rich inflammatory response that substantially contributes to tissue injury [23]. Ischemia-reperfusion injury is believed to contribute to many important pathological conditions, including acute myocardial infarction, stroke, shock, and acute respiratory distress syndrome [24].…”