Immunotherapy for Infectious Diseases

Because the search for safe and effective chemotherapeutic agents has been hindered by antimicrobial resistance and toxic harm, there is a growing need to understand how the immune system can be manipulated to control infections, particularly HIV. In Immunotherapy for Infectious Diseases, Jeffrey M. Jacobson, md, and a group of leading researchers active in the field review the state-of-the-art for treating various infections-particularly HIV-by manipulating the immune system's response rather than by using chemical drugs. The contributors synthesize the principles of immune defense on the molecular level (monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, methods of antigen presentation, and cytokines and cytokine antagonists), as well as on the cellular and clinical levels as a protection against infection. The review of the current state of anti-HIV immunotherapy covers HIV-specific passive and active immunization strategies, gene therapy, and host cell-targeted approaches for treating HIV infection and restoring immune function. Also discussed are immunotherapy for other viral infections, virus-associated malignancies, bacterial infections and sepsis, tuberculosis, and fungal infections.§Comprehensive and cutting-edge, Immunotherapy for Infectious Diseases reviews all the current state-of-the-art developments occurring in this rapidly evolving field and helps set the stage for the early development of better immunologically based therapies for infections.