Active and passive immunization for atherosclerosis.

This review summarizes experimental findings that highlight the role of immune mechanisms in atherosclerosis and the potential atheroprotective effects of active or passive immunization strategies. Inmmunomodulation therapy appears to be feasible and effective, suggesting that a vaccine for atherosclerosis can be developed for clinical testing. Given the increasing number of patients with atherosclerotic disease on current therapy, a new therapy is needed and an immunization strategy could provide such a possibility. Several questions regarding this approach remain unanswered, however, such as choice of optimal antigens, choice of most effective adjuvants, the optimal route of administration, durability of effects and safety, but cautious optimism remains that a vaccine-based approach has the potential to become a part of the armamentarium for atherosclerotic vascular disease.