Biological response modifiers (BRMs) are a class of substances or agents that are derived from living organisms or artificially engineered to enhance or modify the body's immune response. These modifiers have the ability to regulate, stimulate, or suppress various components of the immune system and its communication pathways.
BRMs can be natural substances like cytokines (interferons, interleukins), growth factors, and antibodies, or they can be biotechnologically produced therapies like monoclonal antibodies, fusion proteins, or vaccines. Their main purpose is to modulate the immune response to target specific diseases, especially autoimmune disorders, cancers, and infectious diseases.
By altering the immune system's activity, biological response modifiers can enhance the body's natural defenses against pathogens, tumor cells, or self-destructive immune responses, while also mitigating adverse side effects. For example, cytokines like interferons can enhance the immune system's response to viral infections or cancers, whereas monoclonal antibodies can specifically target and neutralize tumor cells.
Biological response modifiers can also be used to boost the effectiveness of conventional therapies, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, by sensitizing tumor cells to the treatment. Moreover, they can be utilized in immunotherapy, which aims to activate and enhance the body's immune system in order to target and eliminate cancer cells more effectively.
In summary, biological response modifiers are a diverse group of substances or agents that can modify the body's immune response, making them valuable tools in the treatment of various diseases, particularly autoimmune disorders, cancers, and infectious diseases.
