immunomodulator

noun

im·​mu·​no·​mod·​u·​la·​tor ˌi-myə-nō-ˈmä-jə-ˌlā-tər 

i-ˌmyü-nō-

: a substance that affects the functioning of the immune system

immunomodulatory

ˌi-myə-nō-ˈmä-jə-lə-ˌtȯr-ē 

i-ˌmyü-nō-

adjective

Examples of immunomodulator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Davis is closely following a number of up-and-running trials, led by individual research groups and universities, which are testing immunomodulators, HIV drugs, rapamycin, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), enzymes called nattokinase and lumbrokinase, and other therapies. —Will Stone, NPR, 12 Mar. 2025

Most patients — transplant candidates or not — begin a triple-drug combination treatment that includes: Oral medications known as immunomodulators. —William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 13 Sep. 2024

Early studies suggested that combining infliximab and an immunomodulator drug such as azathioprine may improve outcomes such as colon healing and preventing symptom relapses.10 Other Methods for Symptoms Management Diet: Eat a well-balanced, healthy diet and avoid spicy and greasy food. —Femi Aremu, Verywell Health, 1 Aug. 2024

Another variety of medications, called immunomodulators, can help your immune system work more effectively too, depending on your specific condition. —Krissy Brady, SELF, 5 Mar. 2024

Patients who need increasing amounts of oxygen or have signs of body-wide inflammation may need to be given anti-inflammatory medications such as steroids and immunomodulators, Ostrosky said. —Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 5 Dec. 2023

Landers recently started on two drugs, known as immunomodulators, that strive to stimulate his body’s immune system to fight the cancer. —Kay Lazar, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Mar. 2023

It’s used as what’s called an immunomodulator. —Anna Kuchment, Dallas News, 21 Sep. 2020

Supplies of the immunomodulator drug tocilizumab, which is given to patients to treat the immune-system storm that can devastate the lungs and other organs, are in short supply. —Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 4 May 2021

Word History

Etymology

immuno- + modulator

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for immunomodulator

• accelerator
• accumulator
• adjudicator
• administrator
• appropriator
• articulator
• attenuator
• bronchodilator
• collaborator
• communicator
• conciliator
• cooperator

Medical Definition

immunomodulator

noun

im·​mu·​no·​mod·​u·​la·​tor -ˈmäj-ə-ˌlāt-ər 

: a chemical agent (as methotrexate or azathioprine) that modifies the immune response or the functioning of the immune system (as by the stimulation of antibody formation or the inhibition of white blood cell activity)

immunomodulatory adjective