Affiliations: [a] Department of Surgery, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada | [b] Department of Neurosurgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA | [c] Department of Continuing Medical Education and Professional Development, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada | [d] University of Edinburgh Medical School, Edinburgh, Scotland
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Arpad Z. Barabas, Department of Surgery, University of Calgary, B101D Health Sciences Centre, 3330 Hospital Dr. NW, T2N 4N1, Calgary, AB, Canada. Tel.: +1 403 220 8724; Fax: +1 403 270 4269; E-mail: [email protected].
Abstract: In spite of enormous efforts there have been no solutions to date for preventing/terminating certain acute and chronic disorders of humans by vaccination or drugs. Yet it is well understood that if the target antigen (ag) could be presented appropriately to the cells of the immune system then solutions could be found. Recently, the Barabas research group has introduced and described the third vaccination method – called modified vaccination technique (MVT) – which has the ability to provide a corrective immune response in experimental animals with an autoimmune kidney disease. Injections of immune complexes – made up of the target ag and specific non-pathogenic IgM antibodies directed against the target ag – achieved downregulation of pathogenic immune responses and tolerance to self was regained. Utilizing the immune system’s natural abilities to respond to corrective information, the MVT technique was able to prevent an autoimmune kidney disease from occurring (prophylactic effect) in experimental animals, and when present, terminating it (therapeutic effect) specifically and without measurable side effects. It is predicted that the application of the MVT will have the potential in the future to revolutionize the preventative and therapeutic options for dealing with chronic disorders in humans (such as autoimmune disease, cancer and acute chronic infections) and achieve cures.
