TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Solid Organ Transplantation A1 - Jennings, Douglas L. A1 - Johnson, Heather J. A2 - DiPiro, Joseph T. A2 - Yee, Gary C. A2 - Posey, L. Michael A2 - Haines, Stuart T. A2 - Nolin, Thomas D. A2 - Ellingrod, Vicki PY - 2020 T2 - Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach, 11e AB - KEY CONCEPTSGenerally, patients receive a combination of two to four immunosuppressive drugs in order to minimize individual drug toxicities as well as block different aspects of the immune response.While the calcineurin inhibitors (CI) tacrolimus and cyclosporine, inhibitors of interleukin (IL)-2 and thus T-cell activation, are the backbone of immunosuppressive regimens, they are associated with serious adverse effects, primarily nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity.Calcineurin inhibitor-induced nephrotoxicity is one of the most common adverse effects observed in solid organ transplant recipients. Therapeutic drug monitoring is used to optimize the use of calcineurin inhibitors and prevent toxicity.Corticosteroids are a key component of most immunosuppressive strategies because they block the initial steps in allograft rejection. Their significant adverse effects have led to steroid-minimizing and steroid-free immunosuppressive protocols. Corticosteroids, however, remain first-line treatment for allograft rejection.Azathioprine and mycophenolic acid derivatives inhibit T-cell proliferation by altering purine synthesis. Bone marrow suppression is the most significant adverse effect associated with these agents.Sirolimus and everolimus inhibit the mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) receptor, which alters T-cell response to IL-2. The adverse effects associated with these agents include leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, and hyperlipidemia.Antibody preparations that target specific receptors on T cells are classified based on their ability to deplete lymphocyte counts. Most lymphocyte-depleting antibodies are associated with significant infusion-related reactions, whereas nondepleting agents are generally better tolerated.Long-term allograft and patient survival are limited by chronic rejection, cardiovascular disease, infection, and long-term immunosuppressive complications such as malignancy.Multiple factors impact immunosuppressant systemic exposure in transplant patients. Recognition of these factors by clinicians will facilitate optimization of drug therapy. SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/04/18 UR - accesspharmacy.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1182450534 ER -