Immunology- Immunosuppressants Flashcards
Cyclosporine
- Mechanism
- uses
- Toxicity
Calcineurin inhibitor, preventing IL-2 transcription.
Psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis.
Nephrotoxicity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia,
neurotoxicity, gingival hyperplasia, hirsutism.
Tacrolimus (FK506)
- Mechanism
- Toxicity
Calcineurin inhibitor, preventing IL-2 transcription.
Similar to cyclosporine, higher risk of diabetes and neurotoxicity; no gingival hyperplasia or hirsutism.
Sirolimus (Rapamycin)
- Mechanism
- uses
- Toxicity
mTOR inhibitor; Blocks T-cell activation and B-cell
differentiation, by preventing IL-2 response.
Kidney transplant rejection prophylaxis specifically.
“PanSirtopenia” (pancytopenia), insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia; not nephrotoxic.
Basiliximab
- Mechanism
- uses
- Toxicity
Monoclonal antibody; blocks IL-2R.
Kidney transplant rejection prophylaxis specifically.
Edema, hypertension, tremor.
Azathioprine
- Mechanism
- uses
- Toxicity
Antimetabolite precursor of 6-mercaptopurine.
Inhibits lymphocyte proliferation
Rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn disease, glomerulonephritis,
other autoimmune conditions.
Pancytopenia
Mycophenolate Mofetil
- Mechanism
- uses
- Toxicity
Reversibly inhibits IMP dehydrogenase, preventing purine synthesis of B and T cells.
Lupus nephritis.
GI upset, pancytopenia, hypertension, hyperglycemia.
Less nephrotoxic and neurotoxic. Associated with
invasive CMV infection.
Glucocorticoids
- Mechanism
- uses
- Toxicity
Inhibit NF-κB. Suppress both B- and T-cell function.
Many autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, adrenal
insufficiency, asthma, CLL, non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Cushing syndrome
Erythropoietin
- Agent
- Uses
Epoetin alfa (EPO analog)
Anemias (especially in renal failure).
Colony stimulating factors
- Agent
- Uses
Filgrastim (G-CSF), Sargramostim (GM-CSF)
Leukopenia; recovery of granulocyte and monocyte counts.
Thrombopoietin
- Agent
- Uses
Romiplostim (TPO analog), eltrombopag (TPO receptor agonist).
Autoimmune thrombocytopenia
Interleukin-2
- Agent
- Uses
Aldesleukin
Renal cell carcinoma, metastatic melanoma
Interferon
- Agent
- Uses
IFN-α: Chronic hepatitis C (not preferred) and B, renal
cell carcinoma.
IFN-β: Multiple sclerosis
IFN-γ: Chronic granulomatous disease
Alemtuzumab
- Target
- Clinical uses
CD52
CLL, MS
Bevacizumab
- Target
- Clinical uses
VEGF
Colorectal cancer, renal cell carcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer.
Cetuximab
- Target
- Clinical uses
EGFR
Stage IV colorectal cancer, head and neck cancer.