Immunomodulation, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1984 New Frontiers and Advances

On May 14-16, 1982, a group of scientists met in Viareggio, Italy to present ideas, and exchange relevant data on current approaches on immunomodulators. We felt that the embodiment of the substance of that international symposium into this volume will be beneficial in keeping both clinicians and basic scientists abreast of the latest exciting developments in this rapidly accelerating field. We hope that the publication of this series of papers by an international panel of experts will enhance the nature of future inves t igat ive stud ies with such ent it ies . Under the rubric of immunology, it is obvious that such a term as "immunomodulation" could be construed as being all encompassing. However, it is intriguing that the immune modulators touched on in these sessions can be subcategorized into about five broad groups. Almost all substances, excepting those entities that are immuno­ logically inert, will have some modulating effects on immunity. From the coarse adjustment of antibody feedback inhibition upon cellular limnunity to the subtle finesse envisioned in Jerne's idiotypic network and s'lppressor T cells, immunomodulators attempt to either magnify or diminish those responses that are normally elicited by antigen. The broad groups - thymic hormones, D.L.E., Interferon, drugs, and the use of bacterial products appear to be at the forefront of much of the pioneering work on immunomodulation.

Thymus Hormone or Extracts.- Role of Thymic Factors and of Thymic Epithelial Cells In Human T Lymphocyte Differentiation.- Thymic Hormone Therapy of Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases.- The Effect of the Thymic Extract Thymostimulin (TP-1) in Experimental Models of Cancer and Viral Infections.- Recent Data on the Structure, Localization, and Function of the Serum Thymic Factor (Thymulin).- In Vitro and In Vivo Effect of Thymostimulin In Melanoma Patients.- The Effect of Thymostimulin on the Immunologic Parameters of Patients with Untreated Hodgkin’s Disease.- Dialyzable Leukocyte Extracts and Immune RNA.- Laboratory and Clinical Experience with the Transfer of Tumor Immunity with Immune RNA.- In Vitro and In Vivo Effects of Dialyzable Leukocyte Extracts (D.L.E.).- Evaluation of “Transfer Factor” Potency and Prediction of Clinical Response.- Interferon.- The Interferon System in Physiology and Medicine.- Interferon: Immunomodulator and Anti-Tumor Agent.- Immunomodulation in Viral Infections: Virus or Infection-induced?.- Bacterial Products.- Immunomodulation in Parasite Diseases.- Bacterial Antigens as Immunomodulators.- Comparative Morphologic Changes in Canine and Human Breast Adenocarcinoma After Treatment With Plasma Perfused Over Immobilized Protein A.- Cancer Immunotherapy in Japan.- Cell Interactions.- Differential In Vitro Effects of Adenosine and Deoxyadenosine on Human T and B Lymphocyte Function.- Modulation of Human T-Lymphocyte Mitogenes is By Interleukin-1 and Glucocorticoids.- Functional Analysis of Alloreactive Helper T Cells Involved in the Induction of Cytolytic T Cell Responses In Vitro.- Effects of Chemically Synthesized Immunomodulators.- In Vivo Treatment with Cyclosporin-A: Different Effects on Cell-Mediated Immunity in Mice.- The PresentStatus of Clinical Use of Levamisole.- Immunomodulat ion By Xenobiotics: The Open Field of Immunotoxicology.- Immunopharmacology of Methisoprinol.- Immunomodulation by Cyclophosphamide and Its Effects on Eradication of Established Tumors.- Isoprinosine (Inosiplex): Immunological and Clinical Effects.- Role of Methisoprinol in Viral Infection: Influence of Methisoprinol on Eosinophilic Granulocytes.- Treatment of Recurrent Viral Infectious Diseases by Methisoprinol.- Monoclonal Antibodies in Treatment and Diagnosis.- Contribution of Monoclonal Anti-T Cell Antibody in the Follow-up and the Immunosuppressive Treatment of Renal Transplant Patients.- Human T Cell Ia Antigens Defined By Monoclonal Antibodies.- Characterization of Human Mononuclear Cells By Monoclonal Antibodies in Patients with Primary Immunodeficiencies: Correlation with Functional Studies.- Autoimmunity.- The Autoimmune Myelopathies.- Contributors.