Mycobacterium w - a promising immunotherapeutic intervention for diseases

Kirsten Stefan, Ryan Gordon, Annah Rolig, Alexander Honkala, Dhanir Tailor, Lara E. Davis, Rajiv I. Modi, Manjul Joshipura, Bakulesh Khamar, Sanjay V. Malhotra

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Immunomodulating agents interact with the immune system and alter the outcome of specific immune processes. As our understanding of the immune system continues to evolve, there is a growing effort to identify agents with immunomodulating applications to use therapeutically to treat various diseases. Mycobacterium w (Mw), a heat-killed mycobacterium, is an atypical mycobacterial species that possesses strong immunomodulatory properties. Mw was initially evaluated as an immune-therapeutic against leprosy, but since then Mw has generated a lot of interest and been studied for therapeutic applications across a host of diseases, such as pulmonary tuberculosis, tuberculous pericarditis, sepsis, lung cancer, and more. This article summarizes a large body of work published in the past five decades, describing various aspects of Mw and its potential for further therapeutic development.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number1450118
JournalFrontiers in immunology
Volume15
DOIs
StatePublished - 2024

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • Mycobacterium w
  • cancer
  • immune therapy
  • leprosy
  • tuberculosis
  • vaccine

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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