PHARMACOLOGY OF IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE MEDICATIONS USED IN RENAL DISEASES AND TRANSPLANTATION

As understanding of the molecular basis for the immune response has ex panded rapidly, so have the possibilities for designing therapeutic in terventions that are more effective, more specific, and safer than cur rent treatment options. The promise of therapeutic advances in the fut ure is based on the rapidly expanding insights into the pathogenesis o f abnormal immunologic reactions. Nowhere is the understanding of mole cular mechanisms, pathophysiology, and targeted therapy more relevant than in the field of renal transplantation, which makes up much of the clinical database for the use of immunosuppressive therapy for renal disease. Despite the recent advances in basic immunology, clinical val idation of new agents and approaches is lacking for most drugs at pres ent. This review will focus in the pharmacology of agents used in the therapy of immunologic renal disease and in renal transplantation. It should be recognized that clinical pharmacology and experience with ne wer agents is limited, and potential utility is based largely on exper imental data. (C) 1996 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.