title: Overcoming the force and power of immunity: a history of immunosuppression in kidney transplantation.
abstract: Immunosuppression for organ transplantation is a modern concept. The earliest reports of organ replacement have their roots in mythology and human fantasy. The primacy of overcoming the immunologic barrier for successful transplantation of organs has been influenced by geopolitical conflict, unorthodox ideas, application of knowledge across medical disciplines, and serendipity. The earliest form of chemical immunosuppression had its origin in chemical gas in warfare. Further developments in immunology, cancer therapy and biochemistry helped shape the intellectual basis for the introduction of chemical immunosuppression.
authors.affiliation: Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA. pspatel@bu.edu
authors.forename: Paul S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Patel
mesh_terms: D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006084:Graft Rejection; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000266:history*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000266:history*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000266:history*; D015122:Mercaptopurine / Q000494:pharmacology; D009151:Mustard Gas / Q000494:pharmacology; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D015122:Mercaptopurine; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid; D009151:Mustard Gas; D016559:Tacrolimus