Not too long ago, almost any kind of cancer was a death sentence, and autoimmune diseases were a warning of either a premature death or a future full of pain and disability. Today we have drugs called biologics that modify the immune system to treat these diseases.
According to the American College of Rheumatology, biologics alter the body’s physiology by suppressing harmful cells or proteins that cause illness. These synthetically produced proteins, when suspended in solution, can be injected directly into the vein or under the skin of a patient. Biologics have become crucial in the treatment of diseases with extremely convoluted and specific mechanisms of action, because they are able to interact with, and provide a stimulus to, specific immune system cells or receptors in the body. According to the National Cancer Institute at the National Institute for Health, there are currently varieties of biologics that can interact with T-cells, monocytes, macrophages, and lymphocytes. These cells are vital for a healthy immune system.
One of the most commonly used drugs to treat cancer falls into the biologic category. The National Cancer Institute states that Interlukin-2 (IL-2) is a chemotherapy drug that is used for immunotherapy: a treatment that mimics the immune system. IL-2 is made up of antibodies, which are proteins that are made by special cells in the body that recognize foreign material such as viruses, bacteria, or in this case, cancerous tumors. The intended purpose of the IL-2 treatment is to boost the immune system and kill as many cancerous cells as possible.
Biologics are also used to treat autoimmune diseases like Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriasis, and Lupus, to name a few. In a similar way as IL-2, but at lower doses, synthesized proteins act on immune cells to direct their function.
Unfortunately, like most drugs, biologics have many side effects. The severity varies between individuals, but common side effects include nausea, headaches and other flu-like symptoms. According to PubMed Health, the use of biologics has also been associated with an increased risk of serious infection, as many of the biologic drugs cause the suppression of certain parts of the immune system. Hopefully, the near future holds the key to better designed biologics that treat disease with minimal side effects.
Feature Image Source: Joe Flintham
