Immune System And Malignant Disease Flashcards
Immune response drugs used in IBD
Azathioprine
Ciclosporin
Mercaptopurine
Methotrexate - HIGH RISK DRUG
Folic acid
Given to reduce the possibility of methotrexate toxicity
Given weekly on different day to methotrexate
Immunosuppressant therapy
Used to suppress rejection in organ transplant recipients (choice depends on; organ type, time after transplantation and clinical condition of the patient)
Treat a variety of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases
Drugs used for immune suppression;
Anti-proliferative drugs (azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil)
Calcineurin inhibitors (ciclosporin, tacrolimus)
Corticosteroids
Sirolimus
Azathioprine
Used widely for transplant recipients
Used to treat a number of auto immune conditions when corticosteroids alone are inadequate
Metabolised to mercaptopurine
Measure TPMT; thiopurine methyltransferase breaks it down; lower enzyme concentration will build up causing toxicity, CI if levels are low as risk mylosuppression
CI; in hypersensitivity to mercaptopurine
Side effects of azathioprine
Bone marrow depression ; hence screen TPMT
Increase risk of infections
Thrombocytopenia
Neutropenia (blood disorders)
Side effects may require withdrawal
Hypersensitivity reactions; dizziness, malaise, N/V, fever, rash; immediate withdrawal
Azathioprine and allopurinol
Reduce allopurinol dose by 1/4 - to prevent haematological toxicity
Azathioprine monitoring requirements
TPMT measurement before treatment
Monitor for toxicity throughout treatment
Monitor FBC weekly for the first 4-8 weeks then every 3 months
Blood tests and monitoring for signs of myelosuppression essential in long term treatment
Azathioprine and patient and carer advice
Report signs of bone marrow suppression - careful in elderly
E.g inexplicable bruising or bleeding, infections
Mercaptopurine
Active ingredient / drug
Azathioprine is metabolise to mercaptopurine
Mycophenolate mofetil
Anti-proliferative Immunosuppressant
Metabolised into mycophenolic acid
More selective action than azathioprine
Addition with azathioprine reduced risk of rejection BUT increases risk infection and blood disorders
Teratogenic - women need 2 effective methods of contraception and until 6 weeks after discontinuing, men need condoms (or their partner) for further 90 days after stopping
Mycophenolate mofetil side effects
Bone marrow suppression
Bronchietasis (respiratory symptoms; cough or dyspnoea)
Hypogaimmaglobinaemia; recurrent infections; measure serum immunoglobulin
Predinisolone
Used in oncology, anti tumour effect in leukaemia, Hodgkin disease and non Hodgkin lymphomas
Enhances appetite and sense of wellbeing in end stage malignant disease
Corticosteroids are powerful immunosuppressant
Used to prevent organ rejection
Ciclosporin
Potent immunosuppressant
Calcineurin inhibitor
Used in organ and tissue transplant, prevention graft rejection following transplant, acute ulcerative colitis, active RA, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, in eye drops for severe keratitis
Prescribe by brand name
Ciclosporin monitoring requirements
FBC ; causes blood dyscrasia
Liver function; causes hepatoxicity
blood lipids
Blood pressure
Dermatological and physical examinations
Renal function; nephrotoxic
U&Es enhances risk hyperkalemia and causes HYPOmagnesium
Monitor FBC weekly for 1st months then monthly for 1st 3 months then every 3 months for the next year
If stable for 12 months frequency of monitoring can be reduced to every 3 months (individual basis)
Ciclosporin side effects
Hypertension
Gingival hyperplasia
Blood disorders
Liver toxicity
Nephrotoxicity
Hyperlipidaemia
Hyperglycaemia
Intracranial hypertension (rare)
Caution and CI of Ciclosporin
CI - malignancy, uncontrolled hypertension, systemic infection, concomitant use of Rosuvastatin, Dabigatran or oral tacrolimus
Caution - hyperuricaemia, elderly (monitor renal function closely)
Ciclosporin patient and carer advice
Avoid excess exposure to UV light including sunlight - use wisespectrum SPF
Counsel on administration of different formulations solution, capsules, infusions
Avoid use of UVB and PUVA photo chemotherapy in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis as risk of malignancy
Report signs of infection
Avoid live vaccines
Ciclosporin interactions
Decreased concentration with; carbamezapine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, St John’s, Rifampicin
Increased concentration with; statins, be a fibrate, macrolides, colchicine, DOACs, NSAIDs, diltiazem, digoxin tacrolimus, verapamil, grapefruit juice
Tacrolimus
Calcineurin inhibitor
Similar mode of action to Ciclosporin but has greater neurotoxicity
Cardiomyopathy reported
Prescribe and maintained on same brand
Can cause glucose metabolism disturbances (signs hyperglycaemia)
Avoid high potassium, excess UV exposure
Monitor kidney and liver function
S/e; neurotoxic, nephrotoxicity, eye disorder, skin reactions, hyperglycaemia, hyperuricaemia
Sirolimus
Liecensed for renal transplantation and prophylaxis of organ transplant rejection in kidney recipients
Monitor blood-Sirolimus trough concentration
Afro Caribbean patients may require higher doses
Avoid excess exposure to UV light