Transplant Flashcards
What is transplantation?
the moving of living cells, tissues or organs from a donor to a recipient, for the purpose of replacing the recipients damaged or absent organ
What are the types of transplants?
autograft:
-occurs within a persons body (self to self)
allograft:
-occurs within two people within the same species
xenograft:
-occurs from one species to another
What are the two types of transplant donors?
living donors
deceased donor
-neurological determination of death (NDD)
-donation after circulatory death (DCD)
What is the difference between storage of tissues and organs?
tissues can be ‘banked’
organs have to be transplanted immediately
What is the survival rate of transplant?
varies depending on the organ:
-5 yr survival for kidney is 80% for deceased donor, 90% for living
-5 yr survival for heart transplant is 75%
-5 yr survival for liver transplant is 81%
-5 yr survival for lung transplant in Canada is ~ 66%
a lifesaving procedure for many
What is a huge barrier to transplant?
donor shortage
How long is the average time to get a renal transplant in SK?
workup - 1 yr
wait - 2 yrs
What is the program that covers medications for renal transplant patients in SK?
SAIL
-all main immunosuppressants covered 100%
-also covers dialysis patients
Where do all non-renal solid organ transplants occur for SK patients?
out of province
-post-transplant care provided in SK
-liver, lungs, hearts
Does SAIL cover medications for non-renal solid organ transplant patients?
not covered by SAIL
-covered by EDS for immunosuppressants
What is the function of the immune system?
recognition and protection against infection by infection causing organisms
recognition and destruction of cells with mutations
cause cell injury and destruction to create inflammation and recruit further immune system response
How does recognition occur?
proteins produced by ‘non-self’ organism
signaling molecules created when inflammation is present
What is the role of MHC/HLA?
distinguishes ‘self’ from ‘non-self’
expressed on surface of APCs
What are examples of APCs?
B cells
macrophages
dendritic cells
What is the role of APCs?
displays HLA to host T-cells causing antigen-specific T-cell activation
Differentiate between the two types of T-cells.
CD4 (helper or Th):
-recognize MHC class II
-stimulate B and T cells
CD8 (cytotoxic or Tc):
-recognize MHC class I
-kill infected cells
What is the role of B-cells?
responsible for antibody formation against antigen
What is another name for T-cells? What about B-cells?
T-cells: cell-mediated
B-cells: humoral or antibody-mediated
How does a recipient recognize the transplanted graft as self or foreign?
based on the reaction of the histocompatibility antigens
Describe histocompatibility antigens.
glycoproteins expressed on nucleated cells
major function is to bind peptides and present them at the cell surface for inspection by T-cells of the immune system
are encoded by the MHC genes that are referred to as the HLA in humans
Describe HLA class I.
the proteins produced by these genes are present on most nucleated cells & platelets
primary target for T-lymphocyte reactions
-HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C
Describe HLA class II.
proteins are present on selective immunoreactive cells
-macrophages, monocytes, activated T-cells, dendritic cells, epithelial cells
-HLA-DR, HLA-DP, HLA-DQ
Describe HLA class III.
part of complement system, do not play a specific role in graft rejection
What can be said about HLA and genetics?
HLA genes are polymorphic and are genetically inherited as a haplotype
Describe step 1 of the T-cell 3 signal model.
recognition
APC presents MHC class II antigen to Th through the TCR-CD3 complex
downstream effect = begin to activate calcineurin pathway, also from the calcineurin pathway and the nucleus of the cell begin to generate IL-2
Describe step 2 of the T-cell 3 signal model.
activation of T-cells
occurs when co-stimulatory molecules, CD80 and CD86 which are present on the surface of the APCs interact with the co-stimulatory receptor CD-28
Describe signal 3 of the T-cell 3 signal model.
IL-2 is released and binds to IL-2 receptor on the T-cell, activating target of rapamycin necessary for cell proliferation
What is the end result of the T-cell 3 signal model?
activated, proliferating Th cell capable of recruiting other components of the immune system –> rejection –> destruction of the graft
What can result in a better transplant outcome?
HLA match between the donor and recipient
What is the role of B-cells in allograft rejection?
traditionally thought to be a T-cell related process, it is now recognized that B-cells play a key role by the production of anti-donor antibodies that bind to allograft
-donor specific antibodies (DSA)
rejection due to B-cell pathophysiology is termed B-cell rejection or humoral rejection
What are the compatibility tests performed for potential transplant patients?
PRA (pannel reactive antibody test)
lymphocyte cross-match
ABO blood typing
Describe the PRA.
PRA = the % of positive rxns among the total cell panel
-blood sample from the potential recipient is cross-matched with cells from panel of previously typed donors selected to represent as many HLA antigens as possible
high PRA = broad sensitization, does not reflect antibody strength or titer
-many reasons for sensitization
Describe lymphocyte cross-match.
directly tests the reactivity between a patients serum and a potential donors ceells
viable lymphocytes are isolated from samples of the donors blood, spleen, or lymph nodes and cross-matched with potential recipient blood to determine whether pre-formed antibodies to donors lymphocytes are present
+ test = presence of cytotoxic IgG antibodies to donor ( + is BAD)
Describe ABO bloodtyping.
matching of blood type is critical
transplanting an organ with ABO incompatibility typically results in a hyperacute rejection and destruction of the graft
What are the different types of rejection?
hyperacute:
-uncommon, immediate immunological response
acute cellular rejection:
-occurs anytime, mediated by alloreactive T-cells
humoral rejection/antibody mediated rejection:
-antibody mediated process, poorer prognosis
chronic rejection:
-most common cause of late graft loss, no effective tx
Which organ requires the greatest level of immunosuppression?
lung > heart, kidneys > liver
What are the immunosuppressive therapy classes?
IL2 receptor antagonist
-basiliximab
lymphocyte depleting antibody
-anti-thymocyte globulin
corticosteroid
-prednisone, methylprednisolone
antiproliferatives
-mycophenolic acid derivates, azathioprine
calcineurin inhibitors
-cyclosporine, tacrolimus
M-tor inhibitors
-sirolimus
What are the two phases of immunosuppressive pharmacotherapy?
induction therapy
maintenance therapy
When is the risk of acute rejection the highest?
the first 1-3 months
-higher doses of immunosuppressants are used during this time
What is induction therapy?
treatment with a biologic agent begun at the time of transplant to deplete or modulate T-cell response
induction therapy improves the efficacy of immunosuppression by reducing acute rejection and allowing for the reduction in other maintenance meds
What does the typical induction therapy regimen look like?
IL-2 receptor antagonist OR lymphocyte depleting antibody
+ corticosteroid, antiproliferative, and calcineurin inhibitor
What is an example of an IL-2 receptor antagonist?
basiliximab
What is the MOA of basiliximab?
binds to IL-2 receptors on activated lymphocytes preventing IL-2 binding to the receptor
-humanized, recombinant IgG1 IL-2 receptor MAB
What are the drug interactions of basiliximab?
no DI’s
What are the side effects of basiliximab?
usually well tolerated
can have acute hypersensitivity
What is an example of lymphocyte depleting antibody?
anti-thymocyte globulin (thymoglobulin)
What is the MOA of anti-thymocyte globulin?
the antibodies in ATG bind to antigens found on the surface of the surface of T-cells and deplete T-cells from circulation
-polyclonal (recognizes multiple epitopes, broader coverage)
What is the use of anti-thymocyte globulin?
induction or rejection (cell mediated)
-more potent = used if higher risk of rejection
What are the side effects of anti-thymocyte globulin?
bone marrow suppression
anaphylaxis
hepatic
infusion related reactions (premed to prevent)
What does the typical maintenance immunosuppression regimen look like?
cyclosporine or tacrolimus
azathioprine or mycophenolate
corticosteroid
done with the biologic
What is the MOA of corticosteroids?
bind to the glucocorticoid receptor, which in turn, up-regulates the expression of anti-inflammatory proteins in the nucleus and represses the expression of proinflammatory proteins in the cytosol by presenting the translocation of other transcription factors from the cytosol into the nucleus
-inhibit antigen proliferation, cytokine production, and proliferation of lymphocytes
How are corticosteroids given in transplant?
IV initially
switched to oral prednisone and tapered to the lowest effective dose
What are some side effects of corticosteroids?
short-term:
-insomnia, GI, personality changes, glucose alterations
long-term:
-osteoporosis, MSK changes, cataracts
How can osteoporosis and hyperglycemia caused by corticosteroids be managed?
osteoporosis:
-routine BMD
-pharmacotherapy (vit D, calcium, bisphosphonates)
hyperglycemia:
-hope it resolves with tapering doses
-diet, oral hypoglycemics, insulin
- ? stop tacro
What is the MOA of azathioprine?
purine analog, likely affects purine synthesis & metabolism, suppresses T & B cells (prodrug of 6-mercaptopurine)
-general immunosuppressant
What are the adverse effects of azathioprine?
bone marrow suppression
skin lesions
hepatic
pancreatitis
alopecia
What is a key drug interaction with azathioprine?
allopurinol
-severe immunosuppression
-best to call and check
Which drug has largely replaced azathioprine?
mycophenolic acid derivatives
What is the MOA of mycophenolic acid derivatives?
purine analog = affects purine synthesis and metabolism, suppresses T & B cells
-more specific than azathioprine (does not affect other rapidly dividing cells)
What are the two formulations of mycophenolic acid?
mycophenolate mofetil
-prodrug converted to MPA via 1st pass
mycophenolate sodium
-deliver active moiety (MPA)
both are oral
How is mycophenolic acid dosed?
empiric based on type of organ
Do we gather mycophenolic acid levels?
it is possible to do mycophenolic acid levels but they are not routinely done
What are the adverse effects of mycophenolic acid?
GI: diarrhea, nausea, indigestion
neutropenia
teratogenic: birth control for males and females
What are the drug interactions of mycophenolic acid?
divalent cations (iron, calcium)
cholestyramine, colestipol
food decreases rate but not extent of absorption
How can the GI side effects of mycophenolic acid be managed?
rule out infectious causes
administer with food
use of PPI or H2RA
divide total daily dose into 3-4 doses (or decrease if possible)
try alternate formulation
loperamide for diarrhea if non-infectious
consider change to azathioprine if unable to manage
How can neutropenia caused by mycophenolic acid be managed?
reduce dose if possible
look for other drug causes and eliminate if possible
-increased risk with valganciclovir
filgrastim/GCSF if needed