Category: Immunology

Before the advent of effective treatment, polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) was often fatal within months. The first line treatment for polyarteritis nodosa is highly dependent on disease severity and is primarily centered around immunosuppressive therapy to control the destructive inflammation of medium-sized blood vessels. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the treatment approaches for PAN, from initial induction to long-term remission management.

In clinical trials for Crohn's disease, common side effects included fatigue, headache, and upper respiratory infections. After your Skyrizi infusion, your experience can vary, but these are some of the most frequently reported feelings.

Recent studies have identified a compelling link between vitamin B12 deficiency and chronic inflammation, finding that higher B12 levels are associated with lower levels of inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein (CRP). This suggests that a lack of B12 cause inflammation, potentially contributing to various health issues including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders.

Actemra (tocilizumab), a biologic that blocks the inflammatory protein IL-6, can improve symptoms in autoimmune conditions, but the timeline for effectiveness varies significantly among individuals. For those asking 'how do I know if Actemra is working?', the answer lies in monitoring both patient-reported symptoms and key laboratory markers over time, a process that requires close collaboration with a rheumatologist.

The immune and coagulation systems are not separate entities but are intricately linked, a relationship sometimes termed 'immunothrombosis'. This inherent connection means that blood thinners, by design, will influence more than just clotting, posing a complex question: do blood thinners affect the immune system?.

Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) affects approximately 20 in 100,000 individuals over the age of 50. For patients with GCA, understanding the mechanism of action of tocilizumab is key to appreciating how this targeted therapy helps manage the disease. Tocilizumab works by blocking the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6), thereby inhibiting the immune system's inflammatory response that damages the blood vessels in GCA.

Initially developed as an antimalarial drug, hydroxychloroquine (brand name Plaquenil) is now widely used for its anti-inflammatory properties in autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). For many patients, a key question arises: is hydroxychloroquine an immunosuppressant?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, treatment for hypersensitivity depends on the specific type of immune reaction involved, which is categorized into four main types. Understanding **what medication is used for hypersensitivity** requires distinguishing between these types to ensure effective and appropriate management of symptoms.

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare genetic disorder affecting an estimated 1 in 50,000 people worldwide [1.4.2]. C1 inhibitor drugs are a primary treatment, working by replacing a crucial protein to prevent or treat severe swelling attacks [1.2.3, 1.2.1].

Actemra (tocilizumab) is an immunosuppressive biologic medication, not a chemotherapy drug. To answer the question, "Is ACTEMRA chemotherapy or immunotherapy?", it is essential to understand that its mechanism targets specific inflammatory pathways within the immune system, making it a form of immunotherapy.