There are several therapeutic approaches to influence the immune system: replacement therapy, immune suppressive therapy, immune stimulation therapy, immunization (vaccination and specific immune therapy), and finally, organism's systemic adaptation to environmental conditions by means of training of neurovascular reactions (tempering procedure), high quality and adequate diet, maintaining and reconstruction (if disordered) of natural biocenoses between human body, its epithelial barriers and symbiotic microbes, psychological adaptation, etc.
REPLACEMENT THERAPY
Replacement therapy means administration of lacking substances into organism for instance: donor Ig preparations, cytokines, cells, hormones, donor blood components, plasma, genes, etc. Replacement therapy is indicated in two clinical situations: first - genetic defect; second - significant loss of a tissue.
• Genetic defects. Due to a genomic disorder (gene mutations mostly) an organism lacks functionally adequate genes, cells, and protein(s).
♦ Transplantation. In case of lack of cells (for example, lymphocytes in SCID, severe combined immunodeficiency) replacement therapy includes donor cell transplantation (stem cells, lymphocytes).
♦ Regular injections. In case of lack of certain molecules replacement therapy includes lifelong regular injections of lacking substance solutions.
о In case of single molecule deficiency type (e.g. mannose-bind-
ing lectin, inhibitor of C1 complement component) recombinant
macromolecule preparations can be used. о In case of multiple molecule deficiency (e.g. Ig in agammaglob-
ulinemia) replacement therapy using Ig preparations of donor
blood is only suitable. о Bloodborne infection probability is significantly less if recombinant