Role of tacrolimus in the evolution of liver transplantation.
Once regarded as a last-resort therapy for patients with end-stage liver disease, liver transplantation has become a viable therapeutic option because of sweeping improvements in surgical techniques and the development of more powerful immunosuppressive agents. The addition of tacrolimus to the immunosuppression regimen represents a highly potent therapy and a powerful defense against acute rejection. In the decade since tacrolimus was approved for use in the United States, it has become a widely used immunosuppressant in the field of liver transplantation.
Busuttil
Ronald W
RW
Division of Liver and Pancreas Transplant, Department of Surgery, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Lake
John R
JR
D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000209:etiology; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000517:prevention & control; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016559:Tacrolimus