Control of immunologic abnormalities associated with aging.

In an attempt to encourage more intensive studies on the control of immunologic abnormalities associated with aging, the six different approaches which have been attempted are reviewed briefly. They are as follows: (a) internal body temperature control, (b) tissue ablation, (c) dietary manipulation, (d) genetic manipulation, (d) genetic manipulation (e) cell therapy and (f) chemical therapy. The first four are preventive and the latter two are restorative in approach. Many of these studies are very preliminary, but overall, the findings are most encouraging. These studies should resolve the extent to which decline in immunologic vigor with age influences the disease pattern of aging individuals and on their life expectancy.