Immunological Basis for the Introduction of Immunotherapy with Mycobacterium Vaccae into the Routine Treatment of TB

Abstract

An account is given of the immunological investigations carried out in Rosario (Argentina) to identify suitable methods for the assessment of the efficacy of immunotherapy for TB. Some of these were then applied to three small studies: one of a single injected dose of heat-killed, borate-buffered Mycobacterium vaccae administered early in treatment, another of three such doses administered at monthly intervals from the start of treatment, and the third of ten oral doses at frequent intervals throughout short-course chemotherapy. All three displayed better clearance of bacilli from the sputum, faster improvement in clinical symptoms, better radiological resolution of lesions and a return of most immunological parameters towards those of healthy persons. In principle, the immune change achieved is an increase in Th1 mechanisms, notably IL-2 and -12 with downregulation of the tissue damaging aspects of Th2. As an addition to chemotherapy for drug-susceptible or drug-resistant TB, with or without concomitant HIV infection, this immunotherapy offers a safe and effective improvement.

KEYWORDS::

• bacteriological assessment
• clinical assessment
• immunological assessment
• Mycobacterium vaccae
• pulmonary tuberculosis
• radiological assessment
• treatment with immunotherapy

Financial & competing interests disclosure

Supplies of Mycobacterium vaccae (SRL172) were provided by SR Pharma PLC, London, UK, together with a small amount of financial support for test reagents and other supplies. Cynthia and John Stanford were shareholders in SR Pharma at the time. They are now shareholders in Immodulon Therapeutics Ltd. (London, UK), the current owners of M. vaccae as an immunotherapeutic. 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.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

Supplies of Mycobacterium vaccae (SRL172) were provided by SR Pharma PLC, London, UK, together with a small amount of financial support for test reagents and other supplies. Cynthia and John Stanford were shareholders in SR Pharma at the time. They are now shareholders in Immodulon Therapeutics Ltd. (London, UK), the current owners of M. vaccae as an immunotherapeutic. 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.No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.