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Organ Transplantation

Graft Rejection
    Cellular Mechanisms
    Molecular Mechanisms

Immunsuppressive Agents
    Corticosteroids
    Calcineurine Inhibitors
    Antiproliferative Agents
    Monoclonal Antibodies
    Polyclonal Antibodies
    Side Effects       

Immunotherapy
    Inductive Therapy
    Maintenance Therapy
    Episodic Treatment

Current Areas of Research
    New Drugs
    Drug Efficacy
    Alternative Therapies
        Tolerance
        Tissue Engineering
        Xenotransplantation

Glossary of Terms
References

CURRENT AREAS OF RESEARCH

Despite enhancements in immunosuppressant pharmacological therapies, doctors still struggle to balance the adverse reactions of overimmunosuppression and organ rejection from underimmunosuppression. Additionally, organ transplantation is severely limited by availability of donor organs; 75% on the organ waiting list who are in desperate need of an allograft die empty-handed. The individuals lucky enough to receive donor organs are resigned to a life of immunosuppressant therapy and its long list of associated side effects. Overall, there is an apparent problem with the current methods of immunosuppression.

There are two main potential answers to this dilemma. Either immunosuppressant drugs need to become more specific and effective in dealing with transplant rejection and side effects must be significantly diminished, or immunosuppressant therapy needs to step away from drug use as a whole with alternative therapies stepping in. Both approaches represent the forefront of medical research. New drugs are being developed that are increasingly specific and effective in combating transplant rejection. Drug Efficacy is also discussed. These topics are supplemented by research into alternate means of immunosuppression through tissue engineering, stem cell research, and induction of tolerance. Xenotransplantation is also being worked out as a possible alternative to allogenic transplantation.

Drug Therapy Research
New Drugs Drug Efficacy
Alternate Therapies
Tolerance Tissue Engineering Xenotransplantation