Drugs for Immune System Modulation

A set of flashcards covering vocabulary and key concepts related to drugs for immune system modulation.

Biologic response modifiers

Drugs administered to boost natural immune responses.

Immunization

The process of introducing a foreign substance into the body to trigger an immune response.

Vaccines

Substances effective at preventing a number of diseases by eliciting an immune response.

Autoimmune disorders

Diseases in which the body produces antibodies against its own normal cells.

Passive immunity

Occurs when preformed antibodies are transferred from one person to another.

Immunosuppressants

Drugs that inhibit the immune system and must be monitored to avoid infections or cancer.

Immunomodulator

General term for any drug that affects body defenses.

Humoral immunity

Immune response associated with B cells and antibodies.

Plasma cells

B cells that encounter their specific antigen and secrete large quantities of antibodies.

Gamma globulins

Preparation of antibodies given to provide passive immunity following exposure to a pathogen.

Antigens

Foreign agents that elicit a specific immune response.

Memory B cells

Cells that remember the initial antigen interaction and quickly secrete antibodies upon re-exposure.

Interferons (IFN)

A class of medications that can treat various conditions, including certain cancers.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine

A biologic response modifier instilled directly into the bladder to treat bladder cancer.

Black box warning

A warning indicating that a drug carries a significant risk of serious or life-threatening adverse effects.

Immunosuppressant class toxicity

Nearly all drugs in this class exhibit toxicity to bone marrow.

Transplant rejection prevention

Administering immunosuppressants to prevent the immune system from rejecting a transplanted organ.

Vaccine purpose

To prevent infections from occurring.

Toxoid

A modified toxin used as a vaccine to elicit an immune response.