Immunotherapy and Acquired Immunity

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Questions and Answers

What are the two main categories of immunity and how do they differ?

The two main categories of immunity are innate immunity and adaptive immunity. Innate immunity is genetically determined and present at birth, while adaptive immunity develops after exposure to specific antigens.

Define active immunity and provide an example.

Active immunity occurs when antibodies develop after exposure to antigens. An example is contracting a disease and later becoming immune to it.

What is passive immunity and how is it acquired?

Passive immunity is when antibodies are transferred into the body from another source. It can be acquired naturally through maternal antibodies in breast milk or artificially via antibody administration.

How can naturally acquired immunity be developed?

Naturally acquired immunity develops after exposure to antigens in the environment or by the transfer of maternal antibodies in breast milk. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes artificially induced immunity from naturally acquired immunity?

Artificially induced immunity is developed through the administration of antigens or antibodies, whereas naturally acquired immunity results from natural exposure to pathogens or maternal transfer. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between active and passive immunity?

Active immunity is the body's direct response to an antigen through the production of antibodies, while passive immunity involves the transfer of antibodies from another source, providing temporary protection without the immune system's direct involvement. Signup and view all the answers

How does immunotherapy improve the immune system's ability to combat cancer?

Immunotherapy enhances the body's immune response against cancer cells by utilizing treatments such as monoclonal antibodies and therapeutic vaccines that stimulate immune activity or target specific cancer cells. Signup and view all the answers

What challenges does aging present to the immune system?

Aging leads to a deterioration of the immune system, resulting in a decreased production of T cells and thymic hormones, lower responsiveness of B cells, and a reduced ability to distinguish between self and non-self, increasing susceptibility to infections and cancer. Signup and view all the answers

List and briefly describe the various forms of immunotherapy.

Forms of immunotherapy include monoclonal antibodies that target cancer cells, therapeutic vaccines that stimulate the immune system post-cancer detection, and preventative vaccines for virus-related cancers, such as HPV and Hepatitis B vaccines. Signup and view all the answers

What role do helper T cells play in the immune response and how are they affected by aging?

Helper T cells support B cell activation and antibody production, but their numbers and responsiveness decrease with age, impairing the antibody-mediated immune response. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between active and passive immunity?

Active immunity develops in response to antigen exposure, while passive immunity is produced by the transfer of antibodies from another source. Signup and view all the answers

Provide an example of naturally acquired active immunity.

An example of naturally acquired active immunity is developing immunity after being exposed to the common cold. Signup and view all the answers

What role does maternal transfer play in passive immunity?

Maternal transfer plays a role in passive immunity by transferring antibodies across the placenta or via breast milk to the infant. Signup and view all the answers

How does immunotherapy function in treating diseases?

Immunotherapy functions by stimulating, enhancing, or suppressing the body’s own immune system to fight diseases like cancer and autoimmune disorders. Signup and view all the answers

What are biological response modifiers (BRMs) and their purpose?

Biological response modifiers are substances that stimulate the body's response to infections and diseases, helping to provide nonspecific active immune stimulation. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the function of colony-stimulating factors in immunotherapy.

Colony-stimulating factors stimulate the growth of bone marrow stem cells, particularly lymphocytes, to enhance the body's ability to fight infections. Signup and view all the answers

In what way do monoclonal antibodies assist in cancer treatment?

Monoclonal antibodies assist in cancer treatment by locating and binding to specific proteins on cancer cell membranes, either for detection or delivering toxins to those cells. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of artificially induced passive immunity?

An example of artificially induced passive immunity is receiving anti-tetanus injections. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Immunity Overview

Immunity is the body's defense mechanism against infections from various pathogens.
Two main categories of immunity: Innate immunity (present at birth) and Adaptive immunity (acquired).

Adaptive Immunity

Not present at birth; develops through exposure to specific antigens.
Active Immunity: Antibodies produced after exposure to antigens (natural or vaccine).
Passive Immunity: Antibodies transferred from another source (e.g., maternal transfer, antibody injections).
Can be further classified as:
- Naturally Acquired Active Immunity: Immunity developed through natural exposure to pathogens (e.g., common cold).
- Artificially Induced Active Immunity: Immunity developed through vaccinations (e.g., flu, polio).
- Naturally Acquired Passive Immunity: Maternal antibodies acquired during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Artificially Induced Passive Immunity: Antibodies provided through medical interventions (e.g., anti-tetanus injections).

Immunotherapy

Treatment aimed at stimulating, enhancing, or suppressing the immune system.
Initially focused on cancer treatment, now also for inflammatory diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis).

Types of Immunotherapies

Biological Response Modifiers (BRM):
- Substances that boost the immune response.
- Includes cytokines and interferons that promote immune activity.
Colony-Stimulating Factors:
- Stimulate the growth of bone marrow stem cells, specifically lymphocytes.
- Important for restoring lymphocyte levels after cancer treatments like radiation and chemotherapy.
Monoclonal Antibodies:
- Laboratory-created molecules that bind to specific proteins on cancer cells.
- Help locate tumors and deliver toxins to cancer cells while sparing normal cells.
Tumor Vaccines:
- Vaccines designed to recognize and target cancer cells.
- Therapeutic vaccines administered post-cancer diagnosis to prevent recurrence.
- Some vaccines prevent cancers caused by viruses (e.g., HPV for cervical cancer).

Aging and the Immune System

Immune system function declines with age, increasing susceptibility to infections and cancer.
Aged immune systems struggle to differentiate between self and non-self, raising autoimmune disorder risks.
T cells exhibit decreased responsiveness to antigens; involution leads to reduced thymic hormone production and T cell shrinkage.
A decrease in Helper T cells impacts B cell responses, leading to lower antibody production.
Age-related immune decline correlates with higher incidence of viral and bacterial infections and increased cancer risk in older populations.

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Description

Explore the concepts of immunotherapy, acquired immunity, and the effects of aging on the immune system in this comprehensive quiz. Understand the body's defense mechanisms and the distinctions between innate and adaptive immunity. Perfect for students studying medical biosciences.