Glossary of key terms
immune stimulant:
drug used to energise the immune system when it is exhausted from fighting prolonged invasion or needs help
fighting a specific pathogen or cancer cell
immune suppressant:
drug used to block or suppress the actions of the T cells and antibody production; used to prevent transplant
rejection and to treat autoimmune diseases
monoclonal antibodies:
specific antibodies produced by a single clone of B cells to react with a very specific antigen
recombinant DNA technology:
use of bacteria to produce chemicals normally produced by human cells
Test your current knowledge of immune modulators with a PrepU Practice Quiz!
Learning objectives
Upon completion of this chapter, you should be able to:
1.
Describe the sites of actions of the various immune modulators.
2.
Describe the therapeutic actions, indications, pharmacokinetics, contraindications, most common adverse
effects and important drug–drug interactions associated with each class of immune stimulants and immune
suppressants.
3.
Discuss the use of immune modulators across the lifespan.
4.
Compare and contrast the prototype drugs for each class of immune modulators with the other drugs in that
class and with drugs in other classes.
5.
Outline the care considerations and teaching needs for people receiving each class of immune modulator.
Immune modulators
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IMMUNE STIMULANTS
Interferons
interferon alfa-2a
interferon alfa-2b
interferon beta-1a
interferon beta-1b
interferon gamma-1b
peginterferon alfa-2a
peginterferon alfa-2b
Interleukins
aldesleukin
IMMUNE SUPPRESSANTS
T- and B-cell suppressors
abatacept
azathioprine
cyclosporin
glatiramer acetate
mycophenolate
pimecrolimus
sirolimus
tacrolimus
Interleukin-receptor antagonist
anakinra
Monoclonal antibodies
adalimumab
alemtuzumab
basiliximab
bevacizumab
certolizumab pegol
cetuximab
erlotinib
golimumab
infliximab
natalizumab
omalizumab
palivizumab
panitumumab
rituximab
tocilizumab
trastuzumab
ustekinumab
