Immunosuppressants

Question 1

What are induction drugs?

Answer 1

Powerful antirejection medicine used at the time of transplant

Question 2

What are maintenance drugs?

Answer 2

Antirejection medications used for long term

Question 3

Cyclosporine/Tacrolimus mechanism of action:

Answer 3

Block T cell cytokine production by inhibiting the phosphatase caclineurin and thus blocking activation of the NFAT transcription factor

Question 4

Sirolimus (rapamycin) mechanism of action:

Answer 4

Blocks lymphocyte proliferation by inhibiting mTOR and IL-2 signaling

Question 5

Monoclonal antibodies specific for interleukin-2 receptor mechanism of action (CD-25 blocker):

Answer 5

Inhibits T cell proliferation by blocking IL-2 binding; may also opsonize and help eliminate activated IL-2R-expressing T cells

Question 6

Soluble receptors (CTLA4-Ig) mechanism of action:

Answer 6

Inhibits T cell activation by blocking B7 costimulator binding to T cell CD28