PROSPECTS FOR INDUCTION OF TOLERANCE IN RENAL-TRANSPLANTATION

Immunological tolerance is the ultimate goal of transplantation immuno biology. Current therapies involve nonspecific immunosuppression with concomitant risks for infection, malignancy, and drug-specific side ef fects. By inducing specific immune unresponsiveness to the graft it sh ould be possible to maintain transplants without the need for chronic drug administration and without the risks of nonspecific immunosuppres sion, This review highlights recent progress in the understanding of i mmunological tolerance, with special attention to the long-term prospe cts for successful induction of tolerance in renal transplant patients .