Immunosuppression + disease modifying therapy Flashcards
Describe rheumatoid arthritis
How does it occur?
- autoimmune multi system disease
- autoantibodies attack synovium
- inflammatory change + proliferation of synovium (pannus) > dissolution of cartilage and bone
Clinical features of rheumatoid arthritis
- morning stiffness >1 hour
- arthritis of 3> joints
- arthritis of hand joints
- symmetrical arthritis
- rheumatoid nodules
Non clinical features of rheumatoid arthritis
- Serum rheumatoid factor/anti CCP antibodies
- X ray changes LESS
Aims of rheumatoid arthritis treatment
Symptomatic relief
Prevention of joint destruction
What pro inflammatory markers are involved in rheumatoid arthritis?
IL1
IL6
TNF-a
Treatment strategy of rheumatoid arthritis
- early use of disease modifying drugs to prevent progression
- aim to achieve good disease control
- use of adequate dosage + combination of drugs
- avoidance of long term corticosteroids
What type of drug is avoided in long term treatment of rheumatoid arthritis?
Corticosteroids
Treatment goals of systemic lupus erythematous + vasculitis
- symptomatic relief
- reduction in mortality
- prevention of organ damage
- reduction in long term morbidity
Examples of anti-proliferative drugs
Azathioprine
Mycophenolate mofetil
Cyclophosphamide
What class of drug is azathioprine?
Anti-proliferative immunosuppressant
What are the uses of azathioprine?
- systemic lupus erthymatous + vasculitis
- IBS
- rheumatoid arthritis (weakly)
- atopic dermatitis
- bullous skin disease
- steroid ‘sparing’ drug
What is the mechanism of action of azathioprine?
Inhibition of synthesis of purines needed for DNA + RNA transcription
What are adverse drug reactions of azathioprine?
Immunosuppression
- risk of malignancy
- hepatitis
- infection risk
- bone marrow suppression
Examples of calcineruin inhibitiors
Ciclosporin
Tacrolimus
What is the mechanism of action of calcineurin inhibitors?
Two examples + how they differ
- ciclosporin binds to cyclophilin protein
- tacrolimus binds to tacrolimus binding protein
- drug/protein complexes bind to calcineruin + cause inhibition
- reduces helper T cell activity
What are the uses of calcineurin inhibitors?
Transplantation
Atopic dermatitis
Psoriasis
What are adverse drug reactions of calcineruin inhibitors?
Renal toxicity
What are important drug drug interactions of calcineurin inhibitors?
- CYP inducers e.g. antivirals + antifungals
- CYP inhibitors e.g.omeprazole, carbamazepine
What is the mechanism of action of ciclosporin?
Calcineurin inhibitor
- Binds to cylophilin protein
- Drug/protein complex bind calcineurin + prevents it’s action > prevents production of IL-2 + T helper cell activity
What is the mechanism of action tacrolimus?
Calcineurin inhibitor
- binds to tacrolimus-binding protein
- drug/protein complex binds to calcineruin + inhibits its action > prevents production of IL-2 + T helper cell activity
What class of drug is mycophenolate mofetil?
Anti-proliferative immunosuppressant