Immune Stimulants Flashcards
Immune Stimulants
Sub-Categories
Interferons
Interleukins
Colony-stimulating factors
Interferons
Naturally released from human cells in response to viral invasion
Interleukins
Communicate between lymphocytes, stimulate cellular immunity, and inhibit tumor growth
Colony-Stimulating Factors
Stimulate bone marrow to produce more WBCs
Interferons: Actions
Preventing virus particles from replicating inside other cells
Stimulating interferon receptor sites on noninvaded cells to produce antiviral proteins
Inhibiting tumor growth and replication
Interferons: Contraindications
Known allergy
Pregnancy/lactation
Use with caution in cardiac disease, myelosuppression, and with CNS dysfunction
Interferon: Adverse Effects
Lethargy, myalgia, arthralgia, anorexia, nausea, HA, dizziness, bone marrow depression
Interferon: Drug-Drug Interactions
No reported interactions
Interleukins: Types of Preparations
Aldesleukin: Human interleukin produced by recombinant DNA technology using Escherichia coli bacteria
Oprelvekin: A newer agent produced by DNA technology
Interleukins: Actions
Increase the number of natural killer cells and lymphocytes
Activates cellular immunity and inhibits tumor growth
Interleukins: Indications
Aldesleukin: Specific renal carcinomas; possible treatment of AIDS and AIDS-related disorders
Oprelvekin: Prevention of severe thrombocytopenia after myelosuppressive chemotherapy
Interleukins: Contraindications
Known allergy
Pregnancy/lactation
Interleukins: Adverse Effects
Lethargy, myalgia, arthralgia, fatigue, fever, respiratory difficulties, depression with suicidal ideation
Colony-Stimulating Factors:
Drug Name
Filgrastim
Colony-Stimulating Factors: Indications
Reduction of the incidence of infections and reduction in time to neutrophil recovery with myelosuppressive chemotherapy, leukemia, bone marrow transplants
Colony-Stimulating Factors: Action
Can be used to reduce the incidence of infection in patients with bone marrow suppression, to decrease the neutropenia associated with bone marrow transplants and chemotherapy, and to help in the treatment of various blood-related cancers
Colony-Stimulating Factors: Contraindications
Allergy to any component of the drug, pregnancy/lactation, renal or hepatic disease, radiation and chemotherapy
Colony-Stimulating Factors: Adverse Effects
GI related, HA, fatigue, generalized weakness, alopecia and dermatitis, and generalized pain and bone pain
Colony-Stimulating Factors: Drug-Drug Interactions
Increase in the myeloproliferative effects of sargramostim when combined with lithium or corticosteroids
