Tailoring immunosuppressive therapy for renal transplant recipients

During the past decade several new potent immunosuppressive agents with dif ferent modes of action and different side-effect profiles have become avail able. Nowadays immunosuppression after renal transplantation is no longer o ne single regimen applicable to all patients. In the selection of the optim al immunosuppressive protocol. individual drug-related toxicity, recipient- related risk factors as well as donor organ characteristics have to be take n into account. This article will give Lin overview of the most recently de veloped immunosuppressive agents available for clinical use. Their individu al mode of action and their different efficacy and safety profile will be d escribed as basis for selection of each of these drugs in an attempt to tai lor the optimal therapeutic regimen for the individual patient both in term s of short-term and longterm outcome.