Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2006; 27(5): 470-479
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-954605
Copyright © 2006 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Evolving Immunosuppressive Regimens for Lung Transplant Recipients

Nuala J. Meyer1 , Sangeeta M. Bhorade1
  • 1Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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Publication History

Publication Date:
26 October 2006 (online)

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ABSTRACT

In organ transplantation, the key tenet remains the maintenance of graft function through the induction of allograft tolerance. Immunosuppression has been the mainstay of therapy to maintain graft function and induce tolerance. Immunosuppression for lung transplant and indeed all solid organ transplantation has greatly evolved in the past decade. Although calcineurin inhibitors, corticosteroids, and azathioprine remain the foundation of immunosuppression in lung transplantation, the arsenal of effective immunosuppression is ever expanding to include biological agents and newer drugs that are directed against increasingly specific targets of the immune cascade. This review examines the characteristics of both traditional and new pharmacological agents, describes a patient-centered approach to their use following lung transplantation, and discusses the controversies surrounding immunosuppression in the lung transplant recipient.

REFERENCES

Sangeeta M BhoradeM.D. 

Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago

5841 S. Maryland Ave., MC 0999, Chicago, IL 60637

Email: sbhorade@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu