Macrolide immunosuppressants

Macrolide immunosuppressants are a new class of compounds sharing a macroli de-like structure and potent immunosuppressive activity in vitro and in viv o. Tacrolimus, the best known substance of this group, is registered in man y countries for the prevention of transplant rejection. Numerous new substa nces of this group are in the pipelines of the pharmaceutical industries. M acrolide immunosuppressants are also effective in dermatological disorders. Due to their chemical structure these compounds can be used for topical tr eatment. Clinical studies have already shown highly effective topical thera py of atopic dermatitis with tacrolimus and the ascomycin derivative SDZ AS M 981, another macrolide immunosuppressant. In this article the pharmacological aspects of macrolide immunosuppressants , their supposed mechanisms of action, pre-clinical and clinical experience are reviewed.