Immunotherapy in dermatology

Recently, a series of new treatments that modify the immunological mechanisms of certain tumors and dermatoses have been introduced. Nowadays we have active immunotherapy by means of autologous and allogenic vaccines, passive immunotherapy with policlonal and monoclonal antibodies, immunosupression and immunomodulation, and, especially, the active immunotherapy which involves the use of cytokines such as interleukines, tumor necrosis factors (TNF) and interferons. In this article we review the usefulness of these treatments in Dermatology, and the efficacy of cyclosporin A, vitamine D3 and analogous agents, topic immunotherapy and photochemotherapy in different dermatoses is evaluated.