Sirolimus: mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor to prevent kidney rejection.
Current immunosuppressive therapies are effective but can be associated with significant adverse reactions. Sirolimus works differently from the immunosuppressants currently available, and except for increased lipid levels, the adverse reaction profile of sirolimus does not appear to overlap to any great extent with that associated with cyclosporine or tacrolimus. While additional research is needed, the initial clinical data in kidney recipients suggest that sirolimus, in combination with cyclosporine or tacrolimus, might have the potential to reduce the frequency of rejection episodes, permit reductions in cyclosporine or tacrolimus dosage, and permit steroid withdrawal (Kelly, 1999).
Cowan
P A
PA
College of Nursing, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
Heizer
K E
KE
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016527:Drug Costs; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D018579:Patient Selection; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012449:Safety; D020123:Sirolimus / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014181:Transplantation Immunology / Q000276:immunology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D020123:Sirolimus