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ABSTRACT
Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is the first cause of mortality by a single infectious agent in the world, causing more than one million deaths worldwide as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). For the optimal control of TB infection, a protective immune response that limits bacterial spread without causing damage to the host is essential. Although most healthy individuals are capable of generating protective responses, patients who suffer pulmonary TB commonly present a defective immune function.
Areas covered: We intend to highlight the potential of novel immunotherapeutic strategies that enhance and promote effective immune responses. The following methodology was undertaken for establishing a literature search: the authors used PubMed to search for ‘Pulmonary Tuberculosis’ and keywords that denoted the novel immunotherapeutic strategies discussed in length in the text including antibodies, antimicrobial peptides, cell therapy, cytokines and gene therapy.
Expert commentary: The current therapeutic regimens for this disease are complex and involve the prolonged use of multiple antibiotics with diverse side effects that lead to therapeutic failure and bacterial resistance. The standard appliance of immunotherapy and its deployment to vulnerable populations will require coordinated work and may serve as a powerful tool to combat the ensuing threat of TB.
Declaration of interest
ORE, LIW and MOLT are doctoral students from Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). MPPA is a master in sciences student from Programa de Maestría en Ciencias Químico-Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.