How Does Immunotherapy Work?

Immunotherapy for infectious diseases is both easily explained and measured. Vaccination introduces antibodies specific to an invasive organism, and this can be proved by blood tests. People will be immune to the effect of the organism and consequently the disease figures will diminish. For some diseases the body needs a booster every so often to top up the immunity e.g. tetanus and polio boosters.

The mechanism of allergy immunotherapy is thought to involve a corrective process. The immune system recognises a foreign substance in a way that results in allergic symptoms; a distortion of the immune system has occurred. Recent research has shown that there is a balance of activity in two types of white blood cell (Th1 and Th2 lymphocytes) with over-activity of the Th2 type causing the symptoms. Immunotherapy is thought to either stimulate the Th1 cells, and/or reduce the activity of the Th2 cells. There is considerable on-going research in this area which will undoubtedly lead to a better understanding and treatment of allergic disease.