The invention relates to the use of &bgr；-glycolipids as immunomodulators. More particularly, the invention relates to the use of &bgr；-glycolipids, preferably, &bgr；-lactosyl-ceramide, &bgr；-glucosylceramide, &bgr；-galactosyl-ceramide, ceramid and &bgr；-lactosyl-ceramide, as well as any mixture or combination thereof for the treatment of immune related disorders. The present invention further relates to a process for the modulation of the Th1/Th2 cell balance toward anti-inflammatory cytokine producing cells, in a subject suffering from an immune related disorder. Therapeutic compositions and method for the preparation of these compositions are also provided.
