Biological response modifiers affect how the body interacts with antigens, alerting the immune system to foreign bodies and shutting it down when no longer needed. They can be used to stop an unnecessary immune reaction or boost the immune system to fight off disease. Different chemicals make up the group of biological response modifiers found in the human body, and doctors use them to treat conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and cancer. However, patients may experience flu-like symptoms and negative reactions to the modifiers.
Biological response modifiers are substances that affect how the body interacts with antigens. Natural response modifiers alert the body to the presence of bacteria, viruses or allergens and initiate an immune response to eliminate the threats posed by these foreign bodies. They are also responsible for shutting down the immune response when it is no longer needed. In medicine, biological response modifiers can also be used to stop an unnecessary immune reaction or to boost the immune system to fight off disease on its own.
A number of different chemicals make up the group of biological response modifiers found in the human body. Interleukin, cytokines and interferons give instructions to cells of the immune system that stimulate the immune response. Under normal circumstances, this response will involve the elimination of antigens that could otherwise cause disease. In other cases, the immune response can be activated to deal with non-hazardous substances, such as allergens.
Doctors use biological response modifiers to treat a number of conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis. In this condition, the immune response unnecessarily creates painful inflammation. Treating a patient with biological response modifiers that reduce immune activity can alleviate the symptoms of this disorder. The disadvantage of this treatment is that the patient’s entire immune system is depressed, making it easier for other infections to arise.
Research is also ongoing into the use of biological response modifiers in cancer treatment. In this type of treatment, patients are given modifiers that can strengthen the immune system and stimulate an immune response against the cancer cells. This treatment would use the patient’s immune system to fight the cancer, which is one way that cancerous growths can be destroyed.
Patients with compromised immune systems may also benefit from treatment with biological response modifiers. Stimulating the growth of blood cells in the bone marrow can help a person make more of their own antibodies. While this treatment is still experimental, it may be beneficial for patients who have had large parts of their immune systems destroyed by radiation or cancer chemotherapy.
While the use of biological response modifiers is promising, it is not without its problems. Patients undergoing this treatment may experience flu-like symptoms, just as they would if their immune system was boosted to fight off a potentially serious infection, such as the flu. It is also possible for patients to have a negative reaction to modifiers that are introduced into their bodies.
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