A group of drugs that increase the efficiency of the body’s immune system. Immunostimulant drugs include vaccines, interferon and aldesleukin (interleukin-2). Interferon is used to treat persistent viral infections, such as hepatitis C, and some types of multiple sclerosis. Aldesleukin is used in the treatment of some types of cancer.... immunostimulant drugs
n. any of a family of proteins that control some aspects of haemopoiesis and the immune response (see cytokines). Many interleukins are currently characterized. Interleukin 1 (IL-1) is an inflammatory mediator. Interleukin 2 (IL-2) stimulates T lymphocytes to become *natural killer cells, active against cancer cells, and is being investigated for the treatment of cancer: recombinant interleukin 2 (aldesleukin, Proleukin), administered by subcutaneous injection, can be of benefit in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma.... interleukin
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