Immunopharmacology Flashcards
What are the four possible mechanisms by which immunosuppressants work?
- General immunosuppression
- Suppress T cells
- Inhibit proliferation of B AND T cells
- Apoptosis of T cells
What is the one drug that works by general immunosuppression as an immunosuppressant?
Prednisone (Corticosteroids)
What are the three primary toxicities associated with Prednisone (Corticosteroids)?
- Hyperglycemia (“steroid diabetes”)
- Cushing’s-like syndrome
- Weight gain
What is the primary goal of T cell Suppressors as immunosuppressants?
Prevent organ transplant rejection
What is an important characteristic of all T cell Suppressors as immunosuppressants?
NO bone marrow suppression
What specific type of inhibitor are Cyclosporine and Tacrolimus?
Calcineurin inhibitors (think MOA)
What are the three primary toxicities associated with Cyclosporine?
- NEPHROTOXICITY
- Drug interactions
- Gingival hyperplasia
What are the four primary toxicities associated with Tacrolimus?
- Nephrotoxicity
- HTN
- Hyperglycemia
- Tremors/HA/insomnia
What is the DOC to prevent organ transplant rejection?
Tacrolimus
What is the MOA of Sirolimus?
What is it used to treat (aka what lecture is it from)?
Bind to mTOR → T cell cycle stops and no B cell proliferation
Immunosuppression
What is the advantage of using Sirolimus over Cyclosporine or Tacrolimus?
NO nephrotoxicity
- Good for kidney transplant
What is the one drug that works by inhibition of B cell AND T cell proliferation as an immunosuppressant?
Mycophenolate-Mofetil
What is the MOA of Mycophenolate-Mofetil?
What is it used to treat (aka what lecture is it from)?
Inhibit purine synthesis → No DNA → No B/T proliferation
Immunosuppression
When is the use of Mycophenolate-Mofetil contraindicated?
What is it used to treat (aka what lecture is it from)?
Pregnancy
Immunosuppression
What three drugs work by apoptosis of T cells as an immunosuppressant?
- Azathriopine
- Methotrexate
- Cyclophosphamide
