HIS16 Immunosuppressive And Immunomodulatory Drugs Flashcards

1
Q

Immune disorders

A
  1. Autoimmunity
  2. Immunodeficiency
  3. Hypersensitivity
  4. Transplant rejection
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2
Q

Histamine

A

Histamine:

  • Amine formed by Decarboxylation of Histidine by Histidine decarboxylase (expressed in Mast cells, Basophils)
  • Stored in intracellular granules, complexed with acidic protein and heparin
  • Released from Mast cells, Basophils in allergic conditions, bacterial infections, trauma etc.
  • if Histamine not stored / released —> rapidly inactivated by Amine oxidase enzymes
  • Location: practically all tissues, but unevenly distributed with high amounts in Lung, Skin, Blood vessels, GI tract
  • Also function as NT in brain
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3
Q

Stimuli for Histamine release

A
  1. Destruction of cells as a result of cold
  2. Toxins from organisms
  3. Venoms from insects
  4. Trauma
  5. Allergy / anaphylaxis
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4
Q

Histamine mechanism

A

Produces effects by acting on H1, H2, H3, H4 seven transmembrane GPCR

  • **H1:
  • **Vasodilation (release of NO from vascular endothelium), but **Coronary vasoconstriction
  • ***↑ capillary permeability
  • ***Smooth muscle contraction (other than blood vessel) —> Bronchoconstriction, Intestinal cramps
  • Itching, pain
  • ***Mucus secretion
  • Enhance secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines

(H2:

  • Vasodilation (release of NO from vascular endothelium)
  • ↑ capillary permeability
  • ***Positive chronotropism + inotropism
  • ***Gastric acid secretion)
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5
Q

Type I hypersensitivity

A

Immediate / Anaphylactic hypersensitivity

  1. ***Sensitisation phase: APC —> Th2 cell —> IL-4, IL-5 etc. —> prime Naive B cell —> IgE-secreting plasma cell —> IgE bind to Mast cell / Basophil (via Fcε receptor) —> mast cell primed to respond to allergen
  2. ***Effector phase: Allergen cross link IgE and cause clustering of Fc receptor on Mast cell —> Signal transduction —> Degranulation —> Histamine + Serotonin, Leukotrienes, other chemotactic factors etc.

Early phase:

  • within mins of exposure to allergen
  • lasts for 30-90 mins

Late phase:

  • begins 4-8 hours later
  • lasts for several days
  • often lead to chronic inflammatory disease

Effect depend on Site and Rate of Mediators release:

  1. Mild / Localised reaction:
    - Allergic rhinitis
    - Atopic dermatitis
    - Conjunctivitis
    - Bronchoconstriction
    - Urticaria (Hives)
    - Gastroenteritis
  2. Severe / systemic:
    - Asthma
    - Anaphylactic shock
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6
Q

Antihistamine (H1 receptor blockers)

A

MOA:
Prevent histamine-mediated effects at H1 receptor (reversible H1 antagonist / inverse agonist)

Therapeutic use:

  1. Allergic and inflammatory conditions
    - control allergic rhinitis, urticaria
    - control cough due to cold / allergy
    - ineffective in treating bronchial asthma (only Histamine only one of mediators, instead use β2-agonist to treat / epinephrine to treat systematic anaphylaxis)
  2. Motion sickness and nausea (prophylaxis)
    - Antiemetic due to blockade of **Central H1, M1 receptors
    - prevents / diminish vomiting and nausea (mediated by chemoreceptors, vestibular pathway)
    - not effective if symptoms already present, taken before expected travel
    - Diphenhydramine, **
    Cyclizine, Meclizine (also for vertigo), ***Promethazine
  3. Somnifacients (induce sleep)
    - 1st generation antihistamine (e.g. ***Diphenhydramine, Doxylamine) —> strong sedative effect —> treatment of insomnia
    - CI in people with jobs to operate machines (e.g. pilot)

Drug interactions:

  1. Potentiation of effects of ALL other CNS depressant (e.g. alcohol) (∵ Anticholinergic)
  2. Should not take with ***MAOI —> enhance Sedative, Anticholinergic effect of Antihistamine
  3. ↓ effectiveness of ***AChE in Alzheimer’s (∵ Anticholinergic)

Overdoses:
- CNS poisoning (e.g. hallucinations, excitement, ataxia, convulsion)
—> if untreated —> coma, collapse of CVS

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7
Q

1st Generation vs 2nd Generation Antihistamine

A

1st generation:

  • effective
  • inexpensive
  • short duration —> require multiple dosing
  • **penetrate CNS —> **Sedation, CNS impairment
  • low specificity —> also act on
  • **1. Muscarinic cholinergic receptor (Anticholinergic)
  • **2. α-adrenergic receptors
  • **3. Serotonin receptors as well (apart from H1)

Drugs:

  • Diphenhydramine
  • Chlorphenamine
  • Promethazine
  • Cyclizine

SE:
- weak Anticholinergic, Antiadrenergic SE (e.g. dry mouth, urinary retention, dizziness, blurred vision)
—> some may be unwanted / of therapeutic value

2nd generation:

  • modification of 1st generation to eliminate SE
  • specific for ***peripheral H1 receptor —> little / no anticholinergic SE
  • ***more polar by adding COOH —> not cross CNS —> less CNS toxicity (e.g. Less sedative)
  • rapidly onset
  • longer duration —> less frequent dosing

Drugs:

  • ***Fexofenadine (eliminated anticholinergic and antiadrenergic effects via bulky group + cannot cross BBB with polar COOH, OH group)
  • Loratadine
  • Cetirizine
  • Mizolastine
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8
Q

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

A

Indication:

  1. Relieve allergic rhinitis (seasonal allergy) symptoms (e.g. sneezing, runny nose, itching, watery eyes)
  2. Relieve itching + swelling (in uncomplicated allergic skin reactions)
  3. Control cough (in cold / allergy)

Properties:

  1. Act on Muscarinic cholinergic receptor (Anti-muscarinic)
  2. Ability to penetrate BBB due to relative lipophilicity

SE:

  • Sedation
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Tremor
  • Lack of coordination
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9
Q

Immunosuppressants

A

Reduce activation / efficacy of immune system

MOA:
Alter Lymphocyte function —> Drugs / Ab against immune proteins

Indication:

  1. Autoimmune diseases
    - Type 1 DM (pancreatic beta cell protein)
    - Multiple sclerosis (oligodendrocyte protein)
    - RA (synovial membrane protein)
    - Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
    - Idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP)
    - Acute glomerulonephritis
    - SLE (DNA, histones, RBC, platelets)
  2. Allograft rejection
    - selectively inhibit rejection of transplanted tissue while preventing individual from immunologically compromised

SE:
- severe toxicity —> use combination of immunosuppressants at lower doses

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10
Q

Mechanisms of Allograft rejection: Role for T cells

A

T cell:

  • crucial for both initiation and coordination of rejection response
  • T cell recognition of foreign Ag on Allograft —> Rejection response
  1. Induction phase:
    Ag presentation by APC
    —> T cell activation
    —> Clonal expansion
  2. Effector phase:
    Cytokine production by T cell (IL-2, TNFα etc.)
    —> Cytotoxic effects (Macrophage, CTL) + Ab production (B cells)
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11
Q

***3 Signal model (interactions between APC and T cell)

A
  1. MHC/peptide complex bind to TCR
    —> T cell activation at CD3 receptor complex by Ag on APC
  2. Binding of CD80/86 (on APC) to **CD28 (on T cell)
    —> ↑ intracellular Ca
    —> initiate Signal cascades
    —> **
    Calcineurin pathway
    —> Gene transcription (NFAT bind to DNA)
    —> **Cytokine production and release (esp. **IL-2)
    (—> Activation enhanced by CD40/CD40L + ICAM-I/LFA-I interactions)
  3. Cytokines (e.g. IL-2) stimulate T cell proliferation
    - **IL-2 bind to IL-2R (CD25)
    —> Signal 3
    —> **
    mTOR
    —> promote translation of mRNA
    —> promote transition from G1 to S phase in cell cycle
    —> ***T cell proliferation
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12
Q

Microbial products - Inhibitors of cytokine production and function

A
  1. Calcineurin inhibitors —> inhibit IL-2 production
    - Cyclosporin
    - Tacrolimus
    —> share same MOA, metabolite route —> never given together (Additive Nephrotoxicity)
  2. mTOR inhibitors —> cell cycle arrest —> inhibit T cell proliferation
    - Sirolimus
    - Everolimus
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13
Q
  1. Cyclosporin
A

MOA:
Bind to Cyclophilin (CpN) (a cytoplasmic receptor protein)
—> inhibit **
Calcineurin (CaN) phosphatase (Ca-dependent)
—> prevent activation of nuclear factor (
*NFATc)
—> inhibit synthesis of IL-2
—> inhibit T cell activation

Indication:

  • lipophilic cyclic polypeptide (11 a.a.)
  • 1st line in prophylaxis treatment of transplant rejection (e.g. kidney, liver, heart allogenic transplant)
  • combined in Double-drug / Triple-drug regimen with Corticosteroids, Antimetabolites
  • alternative for treatment of severe autoimmune disease not responding to other therapies (e.g. RA, recalcitrant psoriasis)

Pharmacokinetics:

  • Orally (poor absorption) / IV infusion
  • CYP3A metabolism (affected by inducer / inhibitor of P450)

SE:

  • ***Nephrotoxicity
  • ***Infections (may be life-threatening)
  • ***Lymphoma
  • Hypertension, **Hyperkalaemia, Tremor, **Hirsutism, Glucose intolerance, ***Gum hyperplasia
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14
Q
  1. Tacrolimus
A

Preferred over Cyclosporin due to ↓ rate of Allograft rejection, ↓ SE

MOA:
Bind to FKBP (also Cyclophilin (CpN))
—> inhibit **
Calcineurin (CaN) phosphatase (Ca-dependent)
—> prevent activation of nuclear factor (
*NFATc)
—> inhibit synthesis of IL-2
—> inhibit T cell activation

Indication:

  • macrolide isolated from soil fungus
  • prevention of rejection of solid organ transplants
  • given with Corticosteroids +/- Antimetabolite
  • 10-100 fold more potent than Cyclosporin —> lower dose of Corticosteroids needed

SE:

  • ***Nephrotoxicity
  • ***Neurotoxicity (tremor, seizure, hallucination)
  • Post-transplant insulin-dependent DM
  • Lower incidence of CVS toxicities (hypertension, hyperlipidaemia)
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15
Q
  1. Sirolimus (Aka Rapamycin)
A

MOA:
Bind to cytoplasmic **FKBP (but does not inhibit CaN pathway)
—> Sirolimus-FKBP complex **
inhibit mTOR (serine-threonine kinase controlling T cell proliferation)
(—> inhibit Signal 3)
—> inhibit translation of mRNA
—> **T cell arrest in G1 phase (cannot progress to S phase)
—> **
Block T cell proliferation / clonal expansion in response to IL-2

Indication:

  • macrolide obtained from fermentations of soil mould
  • together with Cyclosporin / Tacrolimus + Corticosteroids —> ↓ dose of Calcineurin inhibitors —> ↓ Nephrotoxicity
  • kidney / heart transplantation
  • ***Sirolimus coated stent —> ↓ endothelial proliferation —> inhibit restenosis of blood vessels

Pharmacokinetics

  • Longer t1/2 (OD)
  • Orally, high fat diet reduce absorption
  • Liver metabolism extensively

SE:

  • ***Hyperlipidaemia
  • hypertension
  • leukopenia
  • thrombocytopenia
  • infection

Drug interactions:

  • ↑ Cyclosporin-induced ***Renal dysfunction
  • Cyclosporin ↑ Sirolimus-induced ***Hyperlipidaemia
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16
Q

Antimetabolite and Cytotoxic agents

A
  1. Azathioprine
  2. Mycophenolate mofetil
  3. Cyclophosphamide
  4. Methotrexate
17
Q
  1. Azathioprine
A

MOA:
Azathioprine
—> 6-Mercaptopurine
—> **
6-Thioinosinic acid (
TIMP) (nucleotide analogue)
—> incorporated into nucleic acid chains
—> block De novo **
purine synthesis (Adenine, Guanine) (required for lymphocyte proliferation)
—> prevent elongation of DNA

Indication:

  • combination with Corticosteroids + Cyclosporin / Tacrolimus
  • kidney transplantation
  • Autoimmune disorder (e.g. Haemolytic anaemia)

Pharmacokinetics:
- PO / IV

SE:
1. **Myelosuppression
—> individuals with **
defective TPMT (thiopurine methyltransferase)
—> ↑ risk for life-threatening myelosuppression when give standard dose
—> ↓ dose 10-15 fold in TPMT poor metabolisers

  1. ***Allopurinol
    —> ↓ dose of Azathioprine by 75% to avoid accumulation of Azathioprine
  2. ↑ cancer risks, GI irritation
18
Q
  1. Mycophenolate mofetil
A

Immunosuppressive antimetabolite isolated from Penicillum spp.

2 forms:

  1. Mycophenolate mofetil (prodrug)
  2. Mycophenolic acid (MPA) - enteric coated tablet (↓ GI upset)

Indication:

  • combination with Cyclosporin / Tacrolimus +/- Corticosteroids
  • sole agent for heart, kidney, liver transplants
  • largely replaced Azathioprine due to better safety profile

MOA:
Rapidly hydrolysed in GI tract
—> **Mycophenolic acid (MPA)
—> inhibit **
IMP dehydrogenase (Inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase) (reversible non-competitive inhibitor)
—> block De novo formation of ***GMP (Guanosine monophosphate)
—> deprive T / B cell of component for nucleic acid synthesis

SE:

  • diarrhoea
  • N+V
  • abdominal pain
  • leukopenia
  • anaemia
19
Q

Polyclonal / Monoclonal Antibodies

A
  1. Anti-lymphocyte globulins
  2. IV immunoglobulins
  3. IL-2 receptor antagonists (Daclizumab, Basiliximab)
  4. Alemtuzumab, Rituximab etc.
20
Q

Antibodies

A

Prepared either by
1. Immunisation of rabbits / horses / mouse with human lymphoid cells
2. Hybridoma technology
—> producing large quantities of Ag-specific monoclonal Ab
3. Recombinant DNA technology used to “humanise” Ab —> less antigenic

Administration:
- IV must

SE:
- ***Acute pulmonary oedema (dyspnea, chest pain, wheezing)

(Muro-mab: murine Ab
Zu-mab: humanised Ab
Xi-mab: Chimeric Ab)

21
Q
  1. Anti-lymphocyte globulins
A

Prepared by immunisation of rabbits / horses with human thymocytes
—> isolating γ-globulin fraction of serum
—> Anti-thymocyte globulins (Polyclonal Ab)

Indication:

  • combination with other immunosuppressants
  • use at time of transplantation
  • prevent early allograft rejection
  • prevent severe rejection episodes

MOA:
**Ab-dependent cytotoxicity (ADCC)
—> Ab-bound **
T cells are depleted in liver and spleen
—> depletion of circulating T cells + apoptosis of activated T cells

Pharmacokinetics:

  • IV infusion (premedication with Corticosteroids, Paracetamol, Antihistamine reduce infusion-related reaction)
  • t1/2: 3-9 days

SE:

  • ***infections
  • ***PTLD
  • chills, fever
  • leukopenia
  • thrombocytopenia
  • skin rashes
22
Q
  1. IV immunoglobulins
A

Ig prepared from human plasma pooled from many donors

MOA:

  • unclear
  • High dose Induce **B cell apoptosis + **Modulate B cell signalling

Indication:

  • Autoimmune disease
  • Pre-transplant desensitisation
  • ***Ab-mediated rejection

SE:

  • headache
  • fever, chills
  • myalgias
  • hypo/hypertension
  • aseptic meningitis
  • acute renal failure
  • thrombotic events
23
Q
  1. IL-2 receptor antagonists (Daclizumab, Basiliximab)
A

MOA:
Monoclonal Ab (Daclizumab, ***Basiliximab)
—> Anti-CD25 (IL-2R) Ab
—> bind to α chain of IL-2 receptor on activated T cell
—> inhibit IL-2 mediated T cell activation / proliferation

Basiliximab: Chimeric Ab (25% murine, 75% human sequence)
Daclizumab: Humanised Ab (90% human sequence)

Indication:

  • combination with Corticosteroids / Cyclosporin A (↓ nephrotoxicity)
  • ***Induction therapy in transplantation (∵ not T-cell depleting), effective in ↓ incidence of acute rejection
  • Prophylaxis against acute rejection of kidney transplantation
  • NOT used to treat ongoing rejection

Pharmacokinetics:
- IV

SE:
- well-tolerated, no SE

24
Q

Corticosteroids

A

MOA:
Non-specific anti-inflammatory agents
—> inhibition of **Nuclear factor kappa B activation + bind to **Glucocorticoid response elements in promoter regions of cytokine genes
—> inhibit **Cytokine production by **T cells / ***Macrophages
—> disrupt T cell activation / Macrophage-mediated tissue injury

Indication:

  • Prednisone / Methylprednisolone (in transplantation)
  • Acute rejection
  • Chronic graft-vs-host disease
  • Autoimmune diseases (e.g. RA, SLE)

SE:

  • diabetogenic
  • hypercholesterolemia
  • cataract
  • osteoporosis
  • hypertension
25
Q

Immunosuppressants choice

A

Induction therapy —> require more potent immunosuppressants
1. Monoclonal Ab
2. Polyclonal Ab
—> powerfully suppress immune system at time of transplantation
—> allow new organ to start functioning in recipient
—> prevent early graft rejection

Maintenance therapy
E.g. Calcineurin inhibitor, mTOR inhibitor, Mycophenolate, Corticosteoid
—> provide long term immunological protection for transplanted organ
—> less potent
—> lower risk of infection
—> usually combined regimen
—> maintain adequate immunosuppression + minimise SE

26
Q

***Summary

A
  1. Destruction of T + B lymphocytes —> Acute pulmonary edema
    - Anti-lymphocyte globulins (Anti-T cell)
    - IV immunoglobulin (Anti-B cell)
  2. Calcineurin inhibitor (inhibit IL-2 synthesis)
    - Cyclosporin —> Nephrotoxicity
    - Tacrolimus —> Nephrotoxicity, Neurotoxicity
  3. IL-2 antagonist (Anti-CD25, Monoclonal Ab)
    - Daclizumab
    - Basiliximab
  4. mTOR inhibitor (prevent progression into cell cycle)
    - Sirolimus —> Hyperlipidaemia
    - Everolimus
  5. Purine synthesis inhibitor (prevention of cell proliferation)
    - Azathioprine (6-MP —> TIMP —> inhibit Purine synthesis)
    - Mycophenolate (MPA —> inhibit IMP dehydrogenase —> inhibit GMP synthesis)
  6. Other drugs
    - Antihistamine (block H1 receptor)
    - Corticosteroids (inhibit Nuclear factor kappa B activation + bind to Glucocorticoid response elements —> inhibit Cytokine production)