title: Immunosuppressive drug therapy.
abstract: The first successful kidney transplantation between monozygotic identical twins did not require any immunosuppressive drugs. Clinical application of azathioprine and glucocorticosteroids allowed the transfer of organs between genetically disparate donors and recipients. Transplantation is now the standard of care, a life-saving procedure for patients with failed organs. Progress in our understanding of the immunobiology of rejection has been translated to the development of immunosuppressive agents targeting T cells, B cells, plasma cells, costimulatory signals, complement products, and antidonor antibodies. Modern immunopharmacologic interventions have contributed to the clinical success observed following transplantation but challenges remain in personalizing immunosuppressive therapy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Departments of Medicine and Transplantation Medicine, New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York 10065.
authors.forename: Choli
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hartono
authors.forename: Thangamani
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Muthukumar
authors.forename: Manikkam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Suthanthiran
mesh_terms: D064591:Allografts; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000145:classification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000276:immunology; D014181:Transplantation Immunology / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D003165:Complement System Proteins