2: Immunosuppressants Flashcards
what does immunopharmacology involve?
- production of vaccines and immunization
- treatment of inflammation
- autoimmune disorders
- allergies
- fungal, viral, and bacterial infections
- infections due to parasites
- cancer
what induces autoimmune diseases?
hyperactive T cell immune response
what causes immune suppression and incompetence?
hypoactive response of T cell immunity
role of each:
- helper T cells
- cytotoxic T cells
- suppressor T cells
helper: coordination of immune response
cytotoxic: remove virus-infected cells from the body
suppressor: temper immune response when it’s overactive
purpose of immunosuppressants
inhibit normal immune response following organ transplantation or overactive immune response associated with autoimmune disorders
what part of the immune response do immunosuppressants work best for?
primary immune response
- efficacy depends on the type of immune response
- best results when treatment begun before exposure to Ag
define acute rejection
- occurs 24h to weeks post transplant
- mediated by T cells and cytokine release
how is immunosuppression achieved?
different classes of immunosuppressants that:
- decrease amount of lymphocytes
- divert lymphocyte traffic
- block pathways involved in lymphocytic response
classes of immunosuppressants
- regulators of gene expression
- alkylating agents
- inhibitors of de novo purine synthesis
- inhibitors of de novo pyrimidine synthesis
- kinase and phosphatase inhibitors
- protein immunosuppressants
- others
what drugs are regulators of gene expression?
adrenocortical steroids - prednisone, prednisolone
what parts of immunosuppression are adrenocortical steroids used for?
induction and maintenance therapy
function of adrenocortical steroids
- reduce circulating lymphocyte levels
- block lymphocyte activation required for Ag presentation
- block T cell proliferation
(inhibit IL-2 gene expression, which is required for clonal expansion of B and T cells)
what drugs are alkylating agents?
cyclophosphamide
what drugs are inhibitors of de novo purine synthesis?
azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine (first gen)
mizoribine, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (second gen)
what parts of immunosuppression are alkylating agents and purine synthesis inhibitors used for?
induction and maintenance
function of alkylating agents and purine synthesis inhibitors
- block or interfere with DNA/RNA synthesis and function
- prevent clonal expansion of B and T cells
chemically describe MMF
-ester prodrug -> active form: mycophenolic acid
function of MMF
inhibits inosinse 5’-monophosphate DH
side effects of MMF
GI shit and events related to bone marrow suppression (leukopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia)
does NOT have CV risk or chronic nephrotoxic secondary effects
what drugs are inhibitors of de novo pyrimidine synthesis?
- brequinar
- leflunomide
- malononitrilamides
MOA of de novo pyrimidine synthesis
inhibit dihydroorotate DH