Immunopharmacology: Inflammation, Allergy and Anaphylaxis

At the end of the course, the students should be able to: 1. explain the mechanisms that underlie the cellular and molecular basis of immune system responses to a variety of conditions including chronic inflammatory diseases, cancer, COVID- 19, autoimmunity and other selected diseases; 2. discuss the roles and therapeutic consequences of cytokines, vasoactive peptides and other mediators of pain; 3. appreciate current trends in the field of immunopharmacology including the development of novel antibody therapeutics, gene-based strategies, mRNA vaccines and therapeutics; 4. explain the traditional pharmacological approaches for treating a variety of inflammatory diseases (prostaglandin synthesis and consequences of its blockade by NSAIDS to produce anti-inflammation, analgesia and anti-pyrexia); and 5. discuss the pharmacology of drugs used in the treatment of Gout.

Introduction to immune system: Definitions, types (adaptive and innate), B and T lymphocytes, chemical mediators (cytokines, interleukenes, antibodies, and many others). Abnormal immune responses: Hypersensitivity (Type I, II, III, IV), Autoimmunity, immunodeficiency diseases. Immunosuppressive drugs: Glucocorticoids, Calcineurin inhibitors, Anti-proliferatives (mycophenolate e.t.c), cytotoxic agents, Antibodies, RhO (D) immune globulin, Monoclonal antibodies, (rituximab and many others). Cytokines: Interferones, TNF – alpha, and many others. Drug allergy, Tumor markers for solid tumors. Antigraft rejection drugs. Steroidal and non- steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Used in the treatment of gout. Practical: Designed to reflect experimental models of the topics taught above.