Transplant Pharmacology Flashcards
induction therapy in transplants
*a short-term course of immunosuppressive drugs given before/during/immediately after a transplant to reduce the risk of rejection
maintenance therapy in transplants
*immunosuppressive treatment given after a transplant to prevent acute rejection/loss of transplanted organ
induction therapy agents - classes/examples
- non-lymphocyte depleting: well-tolerated
a. IL-2 receptor antagonists = basiliximab - lymphocyte depleting: MORE POTENT
a. polyclonal antibody preparation = rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin or r-ATG (thymoglobulin)
b. monoclonal antibody preparation = alemtuzumab
maintenance therapy agents - classes/examples
- calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs):
-tacrolimus
-cyclosporine -
mTOR inhibitors:
-sirolimus
-everolimus -
anti-proliferative/antimetabolite agents:
-mycophenolic acid or mycophenolate mofetil
-azathioprine - corticosteroids = prednisone
- belatacept (blocks T cell co-stimulation signal)
corticosteroids - MOA (general)
*widespread anti-inflammatory effects
*ex: prednisone
azathioprine - drug class, MOA (general)
*prevents lymphocyte proliferation
*class: anti-proliferative / antimetabolite agent
*used to prevent rejection (maintenance therapy) in renal transplantions
mycophenolic acid / mycophenolate mofetil - drug class, MOA (general)
*prevents lymphocyte proliferation
*class: anti-proliferative / antimetabolite agent
*used to prevent rejection (maintenance therapy) in renal transplantions
calcineurin inhibitors - MOA, examples (general)
*block IL-2 gene transcription
*ex: tacrolimus, cyclosporine
*used to prevent rejection (maintenance therapy) in renal transplantions
mTOR inhibitors - MOA, examples (general)
*blocks IL-2 receptor signal transduction
*ex: sirolimus, everolimus
*used to prevent rejection (maintenance therapy) in renal transplantions
alemtuzumab - drug class, MOA (general)
*anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody
*MOA: depletion of lymphocytes
*used to prevent rejection (induction therapy) in renal transplantions
maintenance therapy regimen
*agent 1: CALCINEURIN INHIBITORS, mTOR inhibitors, or belatacept
*agent 2: mycophenolic acid, azathioprine, or mTOR inhibitor
*agent 3: prednisone
most common: calcineurin inhibitor + azathioprine or mycophenolic acid + prednisone
cyclosporine - drug class, MOA, ADEs
*calcineurin inhibitor
*block IL-2 gene transcription (by binding to cyclosporine-binding protein)
*ADEs: nephrotoxicity, HTN, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, headache/tremors, gingival hyperplasia, HIRSUTISM
tacrolimus - drug class, MOA, ADEs
*calcineurin inhibitor
*block IL-2 gene transcription (by binding to FK506 protein)
*ADEs: nephrotoxicity, HTN, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, headache/tremors, ALOPECIA
drug interactions with calcineurin inhibitors - enzyme inducers
*metabolism via Cytochrome P450 3A4
*enzyme inducers → lower levels of calcineurin inhibitors
1. rifampin
2. phenytoin
3. St John’s-wort
drug interactions with calcineurin inhibitors - enzyme inhibitors
*metabolism of CNIs via Cytochrome P450 3A4
*enzyme inhibitors → raise levels of calcineurin inhibitors
1. NDHP CCBs - diltiazem, verapamil
2. antifungals - fluconazole, ketoconazole
3. antibiotics - erythromycin, clarithromycin, HAART
mycophenolate mofetil / mycophenolic acid - MOA
*inhibits de novo purine synthesis via IMP dehydrogenase
*blocks proliferation of T cells and B cells
*used to prevent rejection (maintenance therapy) in renal transplantions
note - do NOT take with magnesium or calcium
mycophenolate mofetil / mycophenolic acid - ADEs
*diarrhea
*leukopenia, anemia
*teratogenic
*increases risk of skin cancer
note - do NOT take with magnesium or calcium
azathioprine - MOA
*imidazole derivative of 6-mercaptopurine
*gets incorporated into DNA and inhibits synthesis of RNA in T and B cells
*used to prevent rejection (maintenance therapy) in renal transplantions