Inosine pranobex, effective immunomodulatory drug approved by the long-term clinical application; possible mechanisms of action
Abstract
Detailed understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of the inflammatory response enables to conduct the therapeutical modulation of the immune system. There is a broad range of drugs to suppress inflammation.
However, the availability of drugs to potentiate immune system is much limited. Mostly, these are substances of natural origin marketed as food supplements.
In narrow sense, there is the only one drug with approved immunomodulatory potential, inosine pranobex. This drug is indicated to treat the whole spectrum of patients with clinical presentation of immunodeficiency.
Inosine pranobex is also acting as an antiviral agent. Immune system is modulated by inosine pranobex on several levels.
Its action is intervening in to cell energetic metabolism, cellular signalisation and cell proliferation. Inosine pranobex is targeting innate immunity, NK cells and dendritic cells.
The production of pluripotent proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNFα and IL-6 is suppressed by the action of inosine pranobex. Inosine pranobex is optimalising the functional polarisation of various immunoregulatory subsets of T cells such as Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg to restore homeostatic regulation of the immune system.