Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026
18:48
In Vitro and In Vivo Assessment of T, B and Myeloid Cells Suppressive Activity and Humoral Responses from Transplant Recipients
Published on: August 12, 2017
Novel immunosuppression: small molecules and biologics
Julie M Yabu1, Flavio Vincenti
1Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, Kidney Transplant Service, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
Seminars in Nephrology
|July 10, 2007
Summary
New immunosuppressive drugs aim to improve long-term kidney transplant outcomes by reducing toxicity and complications. These novel agents show promise in minimizing reliance on current treatments, potentially enhancing patient survival and quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Modern kidney transplantation benefits from immunosuppressive agents introduced in the 1990s, achieving excellent short-term results.
- Current immunosuppression strategies aim to reduce acute rejection but face challenges in minimizing long-term toxicities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review novel immunosuppressive agents in clinical development for kidney transplantation.
- To explore agents that minimize calcineurin inhibitors and steroid use, reducing associated complications.
Main Methods:
- Review of small molecules and biological agents in preclinical and clinical trials.
- Identification of targeted pathways including sphingosine phosphate receptors, pyrimidine synthesis, JAK3, protein kinase C, interleukin-15, and costimulatory pathways (CD40, CD80/86, CD28).
Main Results:
- Several novel small molecules (FTY720, FK778, CP-690550, AEB-071) and biological agents (anti-IL-15, anti-CD40, belatacept, efalizumab) are under investigation.
- These agents target key immune pathways to achieve immunosuppression.
Conclusions:
- Emerging immunosuppressive agents show promise for improving long-term kidney transplant outcomes.
- These novel therapies may offer effective immunosuppression with reduced long-term toxicity compared to current standards of care.
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