Immune boosters and Immunotherapy in Allergic diseases and cancer management

Document Type : Mini Review

Authors

1 Medical Director (Hematologist/Oncologist) and Cancer Liason Physician Intermountain Health Care, Denver USA

2 Allergy and Asthma Center, Blue Area, Islamabad, Pakistan. Former Chief, Clinical and Tropical Diseases Research Division, National Institute of Health, Islamabad. Former HOD Allergy & Immunology, NIH, Islamabad, Pakistan

3 Allergy and Asthma Center, Islamabad, Pakistan

4 Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Pakistan

5 Department of Plant Production and Technologies. Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technologies. Nigde Omer Halisdemir University Nigde, Türkiye

6 Department of Medical Biology, Medicine Faculty, Nigde Omer Halisdemir University, Nigde, Türkiye, Western Caspian University, Baku, Azerbaijan, Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology, Central Campus, Turkestan, Kazakhstan

10.32592/ARI.2025.80.1.371

Abstract

Allergy is an immune disorder that can worsen over time, despite symptom-based treatments. It occurs when the body responds to harmless substances as if they were dangerous. These substances, such as pollen, dust mites, and food, are normally harmless to people without allergies. Allergy and cancer are both immune-related diseases. While medicines can help relieve symptoms, they cannot cure either condition. Immunotherapy, which uses substances to boost the immune system, is a promising treatment option for both allergy and cancer. The immune system operates through two main components: the innate and adaptive systems. The innate immune system acts as the initial defense against bacteria and viruses, employing cells and molecules strategically positioned at entry points like the nose, lungs, gut, and skin. The adaptive immune system evolves over time and involves crucial components like T cells and B cells, types of white blood cells. In response to encountering a new bacteria or virus, the body generates T cells and B cells that can recognize and eliminate the invader, aiding in the resolution of the infection. Immunotherapy for allergies involves exposing the patient to gradually increasing doses of the allergen. This helps the body develop tolerance to the allergen and reduce symptoms. Immunotherapy for cancer works by blocking the interaction between T cells and cancer cells, allowing the immune system to attack the cancer cells. Checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy is a specific type of immunotherapy that has been shown to be effective in treating certain types of cancer. Overall, immunotherapy has the potential to be a game-changer in the treatment of both allergy and cancer.

Keywords

Main Subjects

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Archives of Razi Institute
Volume 80, Issue 1
January and February 2025
Pages 371-374

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