IMMUNOSTIMULANTS

IMMUNOSTIMULANTS

Introduction:

• Immunostimulants/immunostimulators are substances (drugs & nutrients) stimulating immune system by inducing activation or increasing activity of any of its components.

1. Levamisole:

Uses:

• For treatment of colorectal carcinoma after surgery – In combination with 5-FU.
• Also for pediculosis treatment.
• As an antihelminthic drug via stimulation of ganglionic nicotinic receptors.
• Major adverse effect – Agranulocytosis.

2. Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG):

• Viable stain of Mycobacterium bovis.
• Useful as intravesical therapy of superficial bladder cancer.

3. Cytokines:

• Includes interferons, colony stimulating factors (CSF) & various interleukins.
• Eg: Aldesleukin, Sargramostim, Filgrastim etc.,

Aldesleukin – 

• Recombinant IL-2.
• Useful in malignant melanoma & renal cell carcinoma

Filgrastim – 

• Recombinant G-CSF.

Sargramostim –

• Recombinant GM-CSF.
• Useful for chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression.

4. Thalidomide:

• For treatment of ENL & multiple myeloma.

5. Imiquimod:

• An immune response modifier.
• Effective against external genital & peri-anal warts (condyloma acuminata) by topical route.

MOA:

• Acts by releasing IFN-α and cytokines (IL-1, IL-6 & TNF-α).
• Approved for basal cell carcinoma & actinic keratosis of face and scalp.

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