title: Tolerance--is it worth it?
abstract: We are entering an exciting time in the study of immunologic tolerance. Several cellular and molecular strategies have been developed that show promise in nonhuman transplant models and these approaches are just now appearing in clinical trials. Tolerance strategies that prevent immune rejection and obviate the need for immunosuppressive medications (with inherent risk of cancer, infection, and organ toxicity) would improve both graft and patient survival. Each tolerance protocol brings its own set of associated risks. As the results of these trials become available, we must continue to evaluate their successes and failures. The balance of these outcomes will help us answer the question: "Tolerance-Is it worth it?"
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455.
authors.forename: Erik B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Finger
authors.forename: Terry B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Strom
authors.forename: Arthur J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Matas
mesh_terms: D061025:Costimulatory and Inhibitory T-Cell Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology; D018183:Transplantation Chimera / Q000276:immunology; D019172:Transplantation Conditioning / Q000379:methods; D023001:Transplantation Tolerance / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D061025:Costimulatory and Inhibitory T-Cell Receptors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents