Overview of FK506 in transplantation

FK506 is a potent immunosuppressive agent which is undergoing clinical testing in liver, kidney, heart, and bone marrow transplantation. It has been shown to effectively prevent and reverse ongoing rejection in these models. From the outset, FK506 was used with low-dose steroids to treat 110 primary liver, 30 heart, and 66 kidney graft recipients. FK506 was also used in the setting of complications related to CsA or to ongoing chronic or acute rejection. One hundred seventy-three liver, 21 kidney, 10 heart, and 11 bone marrow recipients were converted to FK506 and low-dose steroids, from a combination of CsA, steroids, and/or Aza. A randomized, prospective trial comparing FK506 with CsA in primary liver transplantation has verified the lower incidence of rejection and greater ease in treating rejection episodes, with fewer adverse effects. In summary, FK506 has proven to be an effective baseline immunosuppressive agent, as well as a dose-adjustable agent for the treatment of rejection.