EXAM #4: IMMUNOSUPPRESSANTS Flashcards
What types of grafts will NOT provoke an immune response?
1) Autografts (self)
2) Isografts (identical twins)
What is an allograft?
Transplant between two non genetically identical individuals
What are the two hallmark Calicneurin inhibitors used as immunosuppressants?
Cyclosporine
Tarcolimus
What are the anti-proliferative/ anti-metabolic immunosuppressants?
Azathioprine
Mycophenolate mofetil
Sirolimus
What are the “biological” immunosuppressants?
Antithymocyte globulin
Muromonab-CD3
Anti-TNF-a
What are the two adverse effects associated with immunsuppressants as a drug class?
1) Infection
2) Malignancy
What are the “genomic” effects of glucocorticoids i.e. MOA related to the genome?
1) Bind cytosolic receptor
2) Translocate to nucleus
3) Alter gene expression to decrease pro-inflammatory cytokines
Can also alter transcription factors to decrease production of proinflammatory cytokines
What are the “non-genomic” effects of glucocorticoids?
1) Alter signaling pathways
2) Insertion into cell membrane to alter ion transport
What are the effects of glucocorticoid administration?
1) Decreased peripheral lymphocytes
2) Decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines
3) Inhibition IL-2
4) Reduced neutrophil chemotaxis
*Little effect on humoral immunity
What are the pro-inflammatory cytokines?
IL-1
IL-6
TNF-a
IFN-gamma
What is the function of IL-2?
T-cell proliferation
What are the indications for glucocorticoid administration?
1) Prevent transplant rejection
2) GVHD
3) Autoimmune disease
4) Prevention of initial “cytokine storm” with biological immunosuppressants
What adverse effects are seen with glucocorticoids?
1) Growth retardation
2) Poor wound healing
3) HTN
4) AVN
5) Cataracts
6) Hyperglycemia
7) Adrenal crisis upon discontinuation
What is low dose glucocorticoid therapy?
Less than 7.5 mg prednisone/ predisoe equivalent per day
What is medium dose glucocorticoid therapy?
7.5mg- 30mg prednisone/ prednisoe equivalent per day
What is high dose glucocorticoid therapy?
30-100mg prednisone/ prednisoe equivalent per day
What is very high dose glucocorticoid therapy?
Greater than 100mg prednisone/ prednisoe equivalent per day
What is pulse glucocorticoid therapy?
Greater than 250mg for a day, or a few days prednisone/ prednisoe equivalent per day
What class of drug is Cyclosporine?
Calcineurin inhibitor
What immunity is inhibited by Cyclosporine?
T-cell mediated immunity especially involved in:
1) Transplant rejection (kidney)
2) Autoimmunity
What is the MOA of cyclosporine?
1) Complexes with CYCLOPHILIN in cytoplasm
2) Complex with CALCINEURIN
3) Complex prevents dephosphorylation of NFAT
4) NFAT cannot translocate to nucleus
5) NO IL-2, the T-cell growth factor