Immunopharmacology if Autoimmune Disorders in Rheumatiod Arthritis, Myasthenia Gravis and Graves Disease

Abstract

Immunopharmacology has progressed greatly over the last 25 years with improvements in cell biology and monoclonal antibody technology allowing for the discovery of highly specific antibodies for the treatment of autoimmune disease and organ transplantation rejection. Immunopharmacology has opened up the possibilities for the discovery of new agents and new ways to enhance immune responses, or correct immune deficits, for example by restoring growth factor and cytokine deficiencies through pharmacological therapies. Gene therapy for genetically defective diseases and disorder with defective genes has also become a focus area as a potentially curative long-term treatment pathway. Immunopharmacology can be defined as the science of therapeutic immunoregulation with a focus on selective regulation of the human immune system to achieve clinical benefit. The three categories of drugs under immunopharmacology can be classified as immunosuppressants, tolerogens, and immunostimulants. Immunosuppressants suppress the immune system, while tolerogens induce antigen-specific unresponsiveness. These agents can be utilized in the management of infections, cancer, and in states of immunodeficiency.