The concept of immunotherapy was in infancy when the first edition was written, and then major advances have been made not only with several major clinical trials, but also with the approval of Sipuleucel-T by the FDA for the treatment of cancer in 2010, resulting in a gradually narrowing gap between early scientific knowledge and the late development of immune-based therapies. Consequently, the significance and magnitude of these advances warrant a revision of this contribution--a revised edition that will provide a deeper understanding of the recent advances and discoveries of the function on the immune response and their applications in the development of novel therapies to treat human diseases. During the past five years, there have been significant advances in the understanding of the basic function of the immune response, and their relevant clinical applications. Some of the key discoveries include the identification of the new subset of helper T cells, new cytokines and their networks, and novel signal transduction mechanisms. For example, the identification of Th17 subset of helper T cells, in addition to Th1 and Th2 cells, not only advanced our understanding of the function of the basic immune response, but our awareness of the possible etiology and pathogenesis of diseases such as allergy, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and other auto-immune/immune system based diseases. The newly identified powerful cytokine networks, that regulate both innate and acquired immune responses, emerged as a result of the finding of the new cell types such as innate lymphoid cells and iNKT. Identification of the new cytokines and their networks have advanced our knowledge of the mechanisms involved in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis, including inflammation and tissue repair during stress and injury. For the clinical application’s perspective, there have been significant advances in oral immunotherapy for allergic disease, the treatment of HIV infection, the development of new monoclonal antibodies and their fragments to treat human diseases, and the immune cell based therapies for cancer. The development of HIV vaccines has seen dramatic changes over the last few years. There has been a shift from a sole focus on T cell vaccines to a holistic approach that pertains to the induction of both humoral and cellular elements. This entails induction of antibodies – both binding and neutralizing – to prevent infection. The cellular vaccination produces a safety net of CD8 T-cell responses to suppress the replication of the virus in the infected patients; and both of the effector arms are aided by helper T cells.  

Immunopharmacology is defined as that part of pharmacology that deals with drugs acting on the immune system and, in addition, with the pharmacological actions of substances derived from the immune system. In order to lend sharper definition to the term immunopharmacology the subject matter has been divided according to clinical and pragmatic criteria. The division into immunosubstituion, immunosuppression, antiallergic substances and immunostimulation gives the heterogeneous material a tighter structure than would any classification according to origin, chemical structure or mechanism of action.

Product Description: This volume is based on the program of the International Conference on Drugs of Abuse, Immunity and Immunodeficiency held in Clearwater Beach, Florida. It was sponsored by the University of South Florida College of Medicine with the support of the National Institute on Drug Abuse...read more

Product Description: The internationalization of research and technology is one key component of the globalization of trade and business, with potentially major impacts on patterns of economic development and public policies worldwide. Although certain aspects of this internationalization trend are well documented, and some effects can be quantified, the overall processes are extremely complex and the outcomes are highly uncertain...read more

Product Description: Resistance to chemotherapy, and especially multi-drug resistance, represents a significant barrier to the successful treatment of cancer. This multi-author volume brings together a wide range of up-to-date reviews on different aspects of our knowledge of drug-resistance mechanisms, written by experts in the different areas...read more

A sweeping history of the discovery of the world's first antibiotic, sulfa, and its seminal influence on the fields of medicine and science looks at key figures in the battle against disease, how sulfa changed the way in which doctors treated patients, and how it transformed how new drugs are developed, approved, and sold. Reprint. 20,000 first printing.

The subject is one of major interest in basic microbiology and infectious diseases and the book is a known classic.

Product Description: Building upon the strengths of the best-selling first edition, Histamine and H1-Antihistamines in Allergic Disease, Second Edition presents the latest advances and current research in histamine, histamine receptors, and H1-antihistamines for practical application in allergy, immunology, dermatology, otolaryngology, and pulmonology...read more (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)

Product Description: Supplement Issue: Dermatology 2002, Vol. 204, Suppl. 1

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This fifth edition expands the content and comprehensive scope of respiratory care pharmacology. Providing information essential for a working knowledge of respiratory care drugs, the new edition also offers coverage of the principles of pharmacokinetics and disease-based pharmacologic therapy. This edition is split into three sections. The first section covers the basics of respiratory care pharmacology, including the principles of drug action, the basic methods of drug administration, the standard drug calculations, and the effects of drugs on body systems. The second section covers the drugs most frequently delivered to patients by respiratory therapists, and the third section covers the drugs used to treat critical care and cardiovascular patients. (view table of contents)

Product Description: This book presents current research on the development of new classes of antibiotics with novel mechanisms of action. Leading international researchers from academia and industry present this unique collection of highly acclaimed reviews covering every aspect of this important topic...read more (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)

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Product Description: Expanding from the classic use of immunosuppressants in transplantation and rejection, this current overview highlights their new roles in clinical medicine. Immunosuppressants are at the forefront of new treatment modalities. Individual chapters focus on their use not only in prevention or treatment of transplant rejection, but also on their use in immune-complex and autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis; on combination therapies to achieve synergy in immunosuppression; on new drugs, low molecular weight chemicals, the use of antibodies and gene therapy; on immunological tolerance to prevent or inhibit transplant rejection; and how data derived from transplant studies can be applied to other avenues of immunosuppression...read more (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)

Product Description: The consequences of diseases involving the immune system now appear to have much wider impact on health care and management. Even though over the last decade, our understanding of the basic immunological mechanisms underlying various diseases has increased considerably, the application of these research findings for drug development have not been fully exploited...read more (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)

Product Description: The present book entitled “Novel Frontiers in the Production of Compounds for Biomedical Uses” can perhaps be placed in its best perspective by the Shakespearean character in The Tempest who exclaimed" What’s past is prologue”...read more (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)

Therapeutic Immunology discusses evolving and established modalities of treatment in both immunologic and systemic diseases. It will be organized by modality (drugs, biologics, maneuvers) and by point of intervention rather than disease, and explain how and why these interventions work in these particular disorders and at various stages on the pathophysiologic process. The authors are considered to be among the ablest people in modern immunology and their support team is equally as impressive. Using a clinical versus theoretical approach, the chapter will be organized similarly as follows: introduction, history of the agent, structure, molecular and cellular basis of action, diseases in which this approach is useful, dosage and treatment, mechanisms of toxicity, and alternative modalities to attack at the point of intervention when the original agent does not work. The contents structure includes an introduction, followed by a section on drugs that includes antimetabolics and radiomimetics, corticosteroids, and anti-inflammatory drugs. Next is a section on Biologics which includes cytokines, macromolecules, antibody-based therapies, immunotherapy of allergic disease, chimeric proteins, and vaccines and peptide-based therapies. The final section covers maneuvers such as radiation, transplantation, cellular therapy, gene therapy, and extracorporeal therapy. This clinical reference will show how immunology has come of age as a clinical discipline and is now able to provide treatment strategies for many previously incurable diseases (view table of contents)

Product Description: This book addresses a complex but very timely and fascinating problem in cardiovascular medicine. It is written by recognized experts in the fields of atherosclerosis, heart failure, and antioxidants. It should be of interest not only to academicians but to practising physicians, including postdoctoral fellows, internists, cardiologists, and general practitioners...read more (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)