Immunotoxicity

Immunotoxicity refers to the adverse effects of chemical substances, drugs, environmental pollutants, or biological agents on the immune system. These substances can disrupt the normal functioning of the immune system, leading to immune dysregulation, impaired immune responses, and increased susceptibility to infections, autoimmune diseases, allergies, or cancer. Chemical substances with immunotoxic properties include pharmaceutical drugs, industrial chemicals, pesticides, heavy metals, solvents, and environmental pollutants. Exposure to these substances can occur through various routes, including ingestion, inhalation, dermal contact, or injection, and can result in immune suppression, immunosuppression, or immune activation, depending on the nature and dose of the toxicant. Pharmaceutical drugs, such as chemotherapeutic agents, immunosuppressant, and biologic therapies, are known to have immunotoxic effects due to their interactions with immune cells, cytokines, and signalling pathways. These drugs may suppress immune responses to prevent rejection of transplanted organs or treat autoimmune diseases but can also increase the risk of infections or secondary malignancies by compromising immune function. Environmental pollutants, such as air pollutants, heavy metals, pesticides, and industrial chemicals, can also exert immunotoxic effects by disrupting immune cell function, cytokine production, and immune signalling pathways.