title: FK-506--how much potential?
abstract: FK-506 is a recently discovered immunosuppressive agent that, although structurally quite distinct from cyclosporin A (CsA), shares many of its properties. These include interference with production of interleukin 2 (IL-2) and other lymphokines, lack of myelotoxicity and the induction of transplantation tolerance following administration of short courses to allografted rats. Compared with CsA, however, FK-506 is much more potent and the two agents can act synergistically both in vivo and in vitro. However, severe side effects of FK-506 have been reported in dogs and baboons, although not in rats. On the basis of recently published findings. Angus Thomson reviews the immunological properties of FK-506 and assesses its potential in the light of the impact already made by CsA in both the laboratory and clinic.
authors: A W
authors: AW
authors: Thomson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D003524:Cyclosporins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004357:Drug Synergism; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D051379:Mice; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D011323:Primates; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D051381:Rats; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D016559:Tacrolimus
chemical_list: D003524:Cyclosporins; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011725:Pyridines; D016559:Tacrolimus