Idiotype vaccines.

Idiotypic vaccines are discussed in relation to those produced conventionally or those which are genetically engineered. The potential value of antiidiotypic antibodies as vaccines has been demonstrated in various animal models of infectious agents. These antibodies represent a heterogenous population: those which bear an internal image of the antigen and those which do not. These groups are discussed in terms of their immunochemical properties, relative frequencies and efficacy as vaccines. The infectious diseases in which antiidiotypic vaccines would be most useful are discussed, as well as problems which may be encountered in the use of such vaccines in humans. Some solutions to these problems are envisaged and an ideal idiotype vaccine is described.