A method for inducing an immune response in a patient having elevated levels of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor and soluble interleukin 2 receptor comprising contacting the blood or plasma of a patient in need thereof with an effective amount of binding partners selected from the group consisting of (a) immobilized antibodies or antibody fragments binding to soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 1, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 2, and soluble interleukin 2 receptor and (b) immobilized tumor necrosis factor 1, tumor necrosis factor 2 and interleukin 2, or peptide fragments or synthetic peptides thereof binding to soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 1, soluble tumor necrosis factor 2 and soluble interleukin 2 receptor, to reduce the levels of the receptors in the blood or plasma.
