The idea of using molecules from pathogens as a therapeutic is an ancient concept in medicine. Such a strategy is exemplified by vaccination, with pathogen molecules employed to induce protective immunity against the given or related species of pathogen. The following chapters explore the concept of using pathogen-derived immune modulating molecules as a therapy. In doing so, they may provide the drug cabinet of the future for treating a spectrum of unrelated disease. Herein, a range of immune modulating molecules or strategies from various pathogens is examined in one volume.

The intention of the book was to have chapters addressing immunomodulating molecules from different pathogens. The range of pathogens considered includes bacteria (chapters by Williams, van Strijp and Rooijakkers), viruses (chapters by Bowie, McFadden), protozoan parasites (Aliberti), helminths (Harnett, Fallon), fungi (Sorrell) and parasitic ticks (Anguita). Chapters also address specific immunomodulatory molecules or strategies. The diversity of aspects addressed in the book is highlighted by Lucas and colleagues review of the ‘saga’ of viral serine proteinase inhibitors, with a focus on Serp-1, the first new generation of pathogen immunomodulatory molecule currently in clinical trials. While Elliott and Weinstock have contributed a provocative chapter exploring the use of live parasitic helminth infections as a therapeutic strategy for immune-mediated diseases; indeed trials have already been completed for such an approach. With respect to pathogens usurping an immune pathway, Alcami and colleagues here reviewed the growing number of pathogens that have evolved a range of molecules that can modify many aspects of the chemokine system.

This book is timely due to the need to expand the horizons of conventional drug discovery. A trend in the biopharmaceutical pipeline of fewer drugs to market is illustrated by USA FDA in 2007 approving the lowest number of new molecular entities since 1983. As the drug discovery and development industry broadens its search for new drugs to less traditional strategies, this book will be a reference to the potential for exploiting pathogen as a source of the anti-inflammatory drugs of the future.

Finally, this book whetsthe appetite for the reader, whether in academia or industry, to explore opportunities for exploiting pathogens for the discovery of new processes in immunobiology and, ultimately, for development of new therapies for human inflammatory diseases.