[Immunosuppressive therapy after human lung transplantation].

Area of Science:

• Transplantation immunology
• Pulmonary medicine

Background:

• Acute rejection remains a significant challenge after lung transplantation, impacting long-term graft survival.
• Optimizing immunosuppressive strategies is crucial for mitigating rejection episodes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the diagnosis and treatment of acute rejection post-lung transplantation.
• To evaluate an optimized immunosuppressive therapy regimen.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 16 lung transplant recipients (7 single, 9 bilateral) between 2002 and 2006.
• Utilized a triple-drug maintenance regimen: tacrolimus (Tac), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and steroids, with or without daclizumab.

Main Results:

• Eight patients received the regimen with daclizumab; none experienced acute rejection within 6 months.
• Three of the remaining 14 patients (21.4%) experienced acute rejection.
• Two patients died early due to severe pulmonary edema and dysfunction.

Conclusions:

• The novel triple-drug regimen (Tac, MMF, steroids, and/or daclizumab) demonstrated a beneficial effect in preventing acute rejection.
• This regimen represents a promising approach to post-lung transplantation immunosuppression.