Polyoxidonium - A new generation of immunomodulators with known structure and mechanism of action

Original and literature data on mechanism of action and clinical application of polyoxidonium are reviewed. This novel immunomodulator produced in Russia is a high-molecular physiologically active compound with marked immunotropic activity. Polyoxidonium affects all the mechanisms protecting the body from foreign antigenic agents. It is a true immunomodulator as it enhances low and inhibits overactivated immunity. Polyoxidonium targets are phagocytic cells and natural killers. It stimulates or costimulates production of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and β-interferon. Polyoxidonium potentiates phagocyte ability to kill bacteria. In deficient humoral immunity polyoxidonium stimulates production of antibodies. Moreover, polyoxidonium acts as detoxicant, antioxidant and membrane-stabilizing agent. All the above effects of polyoxidonium make it a unique adjuvant in combined treatment of acute and chronic infections of any etiology, in immunorehabilitation of cancer patients, in the treatment of secondary immunodeficiencies simultaneously with etiotropic drugs.