Immunotoxicology Evaluation of New Drugs

Drugs can have various adverse effects on the immune system including unintended immun-osuppression, induction of both drug-specific immune responses (including drug allergies) and non-specific immunostimulation (including autoimmune reactions), and direct activation of effector mechanisms (such as histamine release). As a practical matter, the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDER) relies on standard non-clinical toxicology studies to detect unintended immunosuppression. Specific assays using guinea pigs and mice are available to identify drugs that can induce immune-mediated dermal hypersensitivity reactions. Respiratory and systemic hypersensitivity and autoimmune reactions are more difficult to model in non-clinical studies. Unintended nonspecific immunstimulation can be detected in animal studies. CDER is currently developing specific guidance for evaluating potential drug immunotoxicity.