A review of interleukin-2 receptor antagonists in solid organ transplantation. |
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Authors: | J L Berard R L Velez R B Freeman S M Tsunoda |
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Institution: | Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115-5000, USA. |
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Abstract: | Daclizumab and basiliximab, engineered human IgG monoclonal antibodies to the interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor alpha-subunit, were approved to prevent acute rejection after renal transplantation. Daclizumab was studied in adult and pediatric renal allograft recipients, liver allograft recipients, and calcineurin-sparing protocols in renal transplant recipients. Basiliximab was studied in renal allograft recipients and subgroups of recipients of living-related and cadaveric transplants, and in patients with diabetes mellitus. Both agents reduced acute rejection and were associated with few adverse effects. However, information regarding their long-term effects on infection, malignancy, chronic rejection, and patient survival must be available before a final decision is made regarding their proper administration. We propose that a likely role the drugs will play in the field of solid organ transplantation is in new protocols that allow sparing of other more toxic immunosuppressive agents. |
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