Immune system disorders are conditions where the immune system defends the body against infections and malfunctions. These disorders can involve the immune system being overactive, underactive, or misdirected.
Find the overview of different types of immune system disorders:
-
Autoimmune diseases
In autoimmune diseases, the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s tissues. Some common examples include:
-
- Rheumatoid arthritis – Attacks the joints, leading to inflammation and damage.
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) – Attacks various body organs, including the skin, kidneys, and heart.
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) – Attacks the central nervous system, specifically the protective covering of nerve fibers.
- Type 1 diabetes – Attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
- Graves’ disease – Attacks the thyroid, often leading to hyperthyroidism.
-
Immunodeficiency disorders
These conditions occur when the immune system is weakened or unable to respond effectively to infections. Immunodeficiencies can be either primary (genetic) or secondary (acquired). Examples include:
-
- Primary immunodeficiency – Conditions such as severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) or common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) are where a person is born with a weakened immune system.
- Acquired immunodeficiencies – HIV/AIDS is a well-known example where the virus weakens the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections and certain cancers.
-
Hypersensitivity disorders
These occur when the immune system overreacts to harmless substances, leading to allergic reactions, i.e.:
-
- Seasonal allergies – The immune system reacts to pollen, causing sneezing, itching, and other symptoms.
- Food allergies – The immune system attacks certain proteins in food, leading to symptoms ranging from mild to severe.
- Asthma – An allergic condition where the immune system causes inflammation in the airways, leading to breathing difficulties.
-
Cancers of the immune system
These include cancers that involve the immune system’s cells, such as:
-
- Lymphoma – A cancer that starts in lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell.
- Leukemia – Leukemia starts in blood-forming cells in the bone marrow, often involving abnormal white blood cells.
- Myeloma – This starts in plasma cells, a type of immune cell.
-
Chronic inflammatory diseases
In some cases, chronic inflammation due to immune system dysfunction can lead to ongoing disease. Examples include:
-
- Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis – Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases where the immune system attacks the digestive tract.
- Psoriasis – An autoimmune condition affecting the skin, leading to red, scaly patches.
-
Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)
This occurs after a bone marrow or stem cell transplant when the donor’s immune cells attack the recipient’s tissues. It’s a potential complication of organ or tissue transplants.
Treatment and management
Treatment for immune system disorders depends on the specific condition and may include:
-
- Immunosuppressive drugs – To reduce the immune system’s activity in autoimmune diseases.
- Immunoglobulin therapy – To boost the immune response in cases of immunodeficiency.
- Biologic therapies – Targeting specific immune system components for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis.
- Allergy medications – Antihistamines, corticosteroids, and immunotherapy for managing allergies.
- Stem cell or bone marrow transplants – For severe immune deficiencies or certain cancers.
Early diagnosis and treatment are important for managing immune system disorders and preventing complications.
Immunosuppressive medications reduce the immune system’s activity, often used in treating autoimmune diseases, to prevent organ transplant rejection, and for certain other medical conditions. While these drugs can be life-saving, they also carry a range of potential risks and benefits.
Benefits of immunosuppressive or immunosuppressant medications
-
- Preventing organ rejection – In organ transplant recipients, immunosuppressive drugs help prevent the immune system from attacking the transplanted organ. This is critical for the success of the transplant.
- Treatment of autoimmune diseases – In conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or multiple sclerosis, immunosuppressive drugs reduce the immune system’s attack on healthy tissues, helping to control inflammation, pain, and disease progression.
- Control of inflammatory conditions – They can also be used to control inflammation in conditions like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, improving symptoms and quality of life.
- Prevention of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) – For stem cell or bone marrow transplant patients, immunosuppressants help prevent GVHD, where the donor cells attack the recipient’s tissues.
- Improved quality of life – Immunosuppressive drugs can significantly improve quality of life by managing symptoms and preventing disease flare-ups for patients with chronic autoimmune diseases or those undergoing organ transplants.
Oncotrex 2.5mg tablet is commonly prescribed to treat cancer; it contains Methotrexate, which is in a class of medications called antimetabolites. This medication is commonly used to treat various conditions, including certain cancers, autoimmune diseases, and inflammatory disorders. It works by interfering with the growth of cells, particularly rapidly dividing ones, which makes it effective in treating diseases involving the immune system or abnormal cell growth.
Risks of immunosuppressive or immunosuppressant medications
-
- Increased infection risk – By suppressing the immune system, these drugs increase vulnerability to infections, including opportunistic infections that might not affect individuals with a normal immune response.
- Cancer risk – Long-term use of immunosuppressive drugs may elevate the risk of certain cancers, particularly lymphomas and skin cancers, due to decreased immune surveillance.
- Organ toxicity – Some immunosuppressive drugs, such as calcineurin inhibitors (e.g., cyclosporine, tacrolimus), can be toxic to the kidneys, liver, or other organs with long-term use.
- Bone marrow suppression – Some drugs can suppress the bone marrow, leading to low blood cell counts (e.g., anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia), increasing the risk of infections and bleeding.
- Gastrointestinal issues – Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal problems are common side effects of immunosuppressive medications.
- Metabolic and hormonal changes – Some drugs can cause weight gain, diabetes, or other metabolic disorders due to their effects on hormones like insulin.
- Skin and hair problems – Immunosuppressive drugs can cause thinning skin, rashes, and hair loss.
- Drug interactions – Immunosuppressive drugs often interact with other medications, requiring careful management to avoid complications.
Conclusion
Immunosuppressive drugs are crucial in managing serious medical conditions, particularly those related to organ transplants and autoimmune diseases. However, their benefits must be weighed against the potential risks. Regular monitoring by healthcare providers is essential to minimize complications and optimize treatment outcomes.
