ABSTRACT
The immune cascade is a complex of pharmacologic agents as well as molecular biologic elements interacting to produce immunochemical responses that drive the immune response. The basis of medical therapies for chronic inflammation is the immunomodulation of these chemical and molecular components to elicit therapeutic effects. Circulating platelets also play a role in this pharmacodynamic process by platelet aggregation, thrombus formation, and degranulation releasing chemokines and inflammatory mediators. The diagnostic evaluation includes a thorough history, physical examination, laboratory testing, and imaging based on suspected organ-system involvements. Chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseases often require treatment directed at the tissue(s) and organ system(s) being adversely affected. Treatment for chronic inflammation must be directed at the multiple tissue(s) and organ system(s) being affected. The reason for the large variety of drugs is due to the extensive amount of pro-inflammatory mediators in the chronic inflammatory and autoimmune process.
