Immunosuppressive Agents
Major classes of agents employed in immunosuppressive therapy: Corticosteroids Cytotoxic Agents T-cell suppressive agents Antibodies Mechanism of action: Cytotoxic Agents- suppress bone marrow function 1. Cyclophosphamide: a. Primarily suppresses B-cell production; lowers humoral immunity b. Used to treat severe rheumatoid arthritis c. Not normally used for graft rejection 2. Azathioprine a. Primarily suppresses T-cell production b. Used for graft rejection c. Normally used in combination with corticosteroids 3. Mycophenolate Mofetil (CELLCEPT) a. Mechanism of action: inhibits inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase; an enzyme required for de novo purine synthesis b. Selective because T and B cells rely on de novo pathway c. Suppresses lymphocyte proliferation and B-cell antibody production d. Can be used to inhibit transplant rejection T-Cell Suppressor Agents 1. Cyclosporine and Tacrolimus a. Mechanism of action: block proliferative response of T-cells to antigen by inhibiting calcineuri...