Novel Immunosuppression in Solid Organ Transplantation

Solid organ transplantation and survival has improved tremendously in the last few decades, much of the success has been attributed to the advancements in immunosuppression. While steroids are being replaced and much of the immunosuppressive strategies focus on steroid free regimens, novel agents have introduced in the induction, maintenance, and treatment of acute rejection phase. MTOR inhibitors have helped with the renal sparing side effect from the calcineurin inhibitors, newer agents such as rituximab have decreased the incidence of donor-specific antibodies which led to decreased incidence of acute rejection reactions. In this chapter we discuss the newer therapies directed specifically for solid organ transplantation.