ABSTRACT
Immunopharmacology has as its goal the identification of agents that act on specific components of the immune system to either selectively enhance or suppress their activities. In a cancer-bearing host, agents of interest that modulate the immune system are of two general types: immunosuppressants which are used as cytotoxic agents in cancer therapy and biological response modifiers which enhance the immune response. Systemic or local regional administration of Interleukin (IL2) alone to patients with cancer has been shown to have antitumor effects in a subset of patients with metastatic melanoma or renal cell carcinoma. IL2 therapy alone has been administered by a series of bolus injections or by intravenous infusion over several hours. Cyclophosphamide, following its metabolic activation, has been studied extensively for effects on humoral and cell-mediated immunity. It was shown initially to be selectively toxic to B cells to eliminate certain suppressor T-cell populations. Doxorubicin, daunorubicin and aclacinomycin are examples of naturally occurring anthracycline glycoside antibiotics.
