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Immunosuppressive agents
1Department of Surgery, University of Texas Medical School at Houston.
The present success of organ transplantation is largely due to advances in immunosuppressive therapy. Progress has been made from a cytotoxic strategy associated with a high morbidity rate to a strategy that seeks to alter the activity of cells that regulate the immune response, in order to selectively dampen antidonor responses. This article presents a comprehensive review of the clinical matrix of immunosuppressive agents, which includes various combinations of pharmacologic agents tailored to minimize toxicity and to enhance efficacy.
The present success of organ transplantation is largely due to advances in immunosuppressive therapy. Progress has been made from a cytotoxic strategy associated with a high morbidity rate to a strategy that seeks to alter the activity of cells that regulate the immune response, in order to selectively dampen antidonor responses. This article presents a comprehensive review of the clinical matrix of immunosuppressive agents, which includes various combinations of pharmacologic agents tailored to minimize toxicity and to enhance efficacy.