Immune system – no single molecular target

The immune system is a multifaceted network of biological structures and processes that protects an organism against disease by identifying and killing pathogens and tumor cells (NIH, 2023). It is broadly divided into the innate immune system, which provides immediate but non-specific defense, and the adaptive immune system, which offers highly specific and long-lasting protection (StatPearls, 2023). Dysregulation of these processes is central to the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders, chronic inflammation, and hypersensitivity reactions (PubMed, 2022). While the immune system is the therapeutic focus of many drugs, it is not a single molecular target; rather, it contains thousands of individual receptors, enzymes, and signaling molecules (Wikipedia, 2024). Pharmacological intervention typically involves modulating specific pathways, such as using monoclonal antibodies to block cytokines or checkpoint inhibitors to enhance T-cell activity against cancer (Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 2021). Consequently, targeting the immune system requires high specificity to avoid broad immunosuppression and associated risks like opportunistic infections (Mayo Clinic, 2023).

Other names

Immune systemImmunityHost defense system

Drugs targeting the immune system act through diverse mechanisms including cytokine neutralization, receptor antagonism, cell depletion, and immune checkpoint inhibition (Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 2021).