Cytokines as Natural Adjuvants: Perspectives for Vaccine Development

摘要

The Meeting is organized with the objective of dedicating special attention to the recent developments of research on the use of cytokines as natural adjuvants for the development of vaccines directed against infectious and neoplastic diseases. Cytokines are the major mediators of host defenses against infectious agents and tumors, in that they regulate the communication between cells of the immune system. In particular, certain cytokines act as a link between the innate and adaptive immune responses, promoting the development of immunity against pathogens and tumors. Recent progress in the field of immune regulation has led to the concept of using certain cytokines as natural adjuvants for human vaccines. The major aims of the Meeting are: (1) to review the most recent findings of the basic and applied research on the ability of cytokines to induce a protective immunity; (2) to discuss the perspectives of the use of cytokines for the development of vaccines effective in preventing or treating human infectious diseases and malignancies.