Immune modulation Flashcards
What are the 4 mechanisms that Boost the immune response
- Vaccination
- Replacement of missing components
- Cytokine therapy
- Blocking immune checkpoints - for advanced melanoma
What are the 6 mechanisms that Suppress the immune response
- Steroids
- Anti-proliferative agents
- Plasmapheresis
- Inhibitors of cell signalling
- Agents directed at cell surface antigens
- Agents directed at cytokines
Q: What is the mechanism of vaccination?
Produce memory T and B-cells, allowing for rapid polyclonal expansion of the adaptive immune response if the antigen is encountered.
Q: What are the two main types of vaccination?
Active Vaccination and Passive Vaccination.
What is active vaccination?
It involves your own body producing antibodies in response to an antigen, providing long-term protection.
What is passive vaccination?
It involves directly administering pre-formed antibodies/immunoglobulins, lasting for about 3 weeks.
What are some examples of passive vaccination?
- HNIG (Human Normal Ig) for Hep A and Measles
- HBIG (Hep B Immunoglobulin) for Hep B
- HRIG (Human Rabies Immunoglobulin) for Rabies
- VZIG (Varicella Zoster Immunoglobulin) for Varicella
- Paviluzimab for RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus).
What are dendritic cell/cancer vaccines?
Initial evidence = Acquired defects in DC maturation/function seen in some malignancies allows cancer to evade immune recognition.
Concept: Patient WBCs harvested and cultured with target ‘tumour’ antigen then re-infused back into patient to stimulate immune response.
- Novel tumour specific antigens (created by mutations) = better target cf. tumour associated antigens (normal self-proteins but upregulated)
Give an example of a dendritic cell/cancer vaccine.
Sipuleucel-T (Provenge) for prostate cancer.
What does the UK Vaccine Programme include?
It includes a schedule of vaccinations recommended by the NHS, covering adults, children, and additional vaccines for those at risk.
What vaccines are given at 2 months according to the 2022 childhood vaccination schedule?
DTaP/IPV/HiB/Hep B (6 in 1 injection), R, Men B.
What vaccinations are recommended for adults in the UK?
- Flu annually from 50 years onwards, pneumococcal vaccine at 65 years
- shingles at 70 years
- flu during pregancy during the appropriate season
- DTaP/IPV from 16 weeks gestation during pregnancy
- COVID-19 vaccinations.
What vaccines are included in the 6 in 1 injection given at 2 months?
Diphtheria, Tetanus, acellular Pertussis (whooping cough), Inactivated Polio, Haemophilus influenza type b, Hepatitis B.
What vaccine is indicated by ‘R’ given at 2 months?
Rotavirus gastroenteritis (oral).
