Actively induced immunotherapy is one of the most promising fields in cancer research and numerous approaches are being studied to design effective cancer vaccines. Among the treatment strategies to develop an effective immune response against tumor associated antigens is the use of anti idiotype (Ab2) mAb as antigen surrogates. Several studies in animal models have demonstrated the efficacy of these vaccines for triggering the immune system to induce specific and protective immunity against tumors of different origin. In fact, anti-idiotypic mAbs have been used successfully in cancer therapeutics to overcome the poor immunogenicity of some tumor-associated antigens, in particular those of non-protein origin. In some clinical trials, including patients with different tumors, anti-Id specific humoral and/or cellular responses following immunization were associated with improved clinical outcome. This number of Frontiers will be dedicated to anti- idiotypic antibodies and their use in cancer treatment. Different article types will be considered: original contributions, case reports, methods, hypothesis and theory, reviews, historical, etc.

This long overdue title provides a comprehensive, up-to-date, state-of-the art review of approved biologic therapies, with coverage of mechanisms of action, Indications for therapy, immunogenicity and a detailed examination of adverse effects and safety of the many and diverse therapeutic agents presented in a total of 13 chapters. It is predicted that by 2016, biologics will make up half of the world's 20 top-selling drugs and by 2018, biologic medicine sales will account for almost half of the world's 100 biggest selling drugs. Recombinant proteins dominate the growing list of the more than 200 approved biotherapeutic agents with targeted antibodies, fusion proteins and receptors; cytokines; hormones; enzymes; proteins involved in blood-clotting, homeostasis and thrombosis; vaccines; botulinum neurotoxins; and, more recently, biosimilar preparations, comprising the majority of approved biologics. Written with clinicians, other health care professionals, and researchers in mind, Safety of Biologics Therapy examines, in a single volume, the full range of issues surrounding the safety of approved biologic therapies. A good understanding of the risks and safety issues of modern biologics therapy is increasingly being demanded of all those connected with their development, handling, prescribing, administration and subsequent patient management. In addition to being of great value to clinicians in all branches of medicine, and to nurses, pharmacists and researchers, this book will prove invaluable for students taking undergraduate and graduate courses in the above disciplines and in the biomedical sciences.

Entries in a practical A to Z Format Highly therapy-focused Uniform and clearly arranged entries for ease of reference Comprehensive information on symptoms and therapeutical possibilities of rheumatologic and musculoskeletal diseases as well as drugs Written by leading experts in the field

Tumor immunology and immunotherapy provides a comprehensive account of cancer immunity and immunotherapy. Examining recent results, current areas of interest and the specific issues that are affecting the research and development of vaccines, this book provides insight into how these problems may be overcome as viewed by leaders in the field.

The goal of this book is to present findings which are supportive of the concept that the words of the idiotype dictionary and likewise self-recognition are essential for communication between lymphocyte clones while some unfaithful ( infidel ) copies of the words contained in the idiotype dictionary perhaps play a role in the functional regulation of nonlymphoid cells.

In many areas of medicine physicians still face the great challenge of finding therapies that will meet the patients’ needs. In dermatology the challenge has arisen on multiple fronts through advances in the understanding of the immunopathogenesis of many inflammatory and malignant cutaneous disorders. Breakthroughs, combined with significant developments in targeted immunotherapy, have resulted in improved outcomes as these newer therapies are being used for both approved indications and as off-label therapies for various chronic inflammatory skin disorders and many forms of skin cancer. In the expectation that by truly understanding the safety profile of these targeted therapies patients’ outcomes will be significantly improved, this book offers insights into topics such as adverse reactions, infectious complications and the perioperative use of biologics in psoriasis, immunogenicity of biologic therapies, paradoxical reactions, safety of biologics used to treat autoimmune bullous diseases and primary cutaneous lymphomas, adverse reactions and skin manifestations of therapies targeting melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer and other neoplastic diseases. Eminent researchers with extensive clinical experience have contributed to this publication, providing an in-depth overview of the latest knowledge in this field.