immunotherapy Flashcards
what is intravenous immunoglobulin used for ?
a biologic for primary and secondary immune deficiencies, some autoimmune disorders, idiopathic thrombocytopenia Purpura
what is intravenous immunoglobulin ?
plasma-derived IgG
polyclonal IgG usually given IV, very high dose 1-3g/kg
can be applied subcutaneously
what are the different types of immunotherapy ?
direct - detect antigen on tumour cell and destroy it
indirect - immune system activated allowing it to destroy tumour cells
what are the different types of direct immunotherapy ?
monoclonal antibodies
chimeric antigen receptors CARs
Bi-specific antibodies
what are the different types of indirect immunotherapy ?
tumour vaccines dendritic cell vaccines adoptive cell transfer cytokine therapies checkpoint inhibitor therapies stimulatory antibodies
what are cytokine therapies ?
immunomodulatory cytokines to activate anti-tumour immunity
pegylated IFN alpha, IL-2
specific cancers
effective antiviral and used in melanoma
what class of drug is rituximab ?
monoclonal antibody
what is rituximab used for ?
first line treatment for NHL
specific for CD20 molecule
also used for RA and SLE
what is infliximab used to treat ?
originally RA
ankylosing spondylitis
IBD
what is the mechanism of infliximab ?
chimeric antibody that blocks the function of tumour necrosis factor alpha
what is Herceptin used for ?
HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer (15-20%)
what is the mechanism for Herceptin ?
antibody binds HER2 on cancer cells and marks them for destruction
what class of drug is ipilimumab ?
checkpoint inhibitor
how does CAR T cell therapy work ?
cells are engineered to express antigen-targeted receptors specific for tumour antigens
cells modified with CAR bind to its antigen and supports T cell activation and killing
