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Questions and Answers
Which of the following is NOT a primary mechanism by which immunosuppressive drugs function?
Which of the following is NOT a primary mechanism by which immunosuppressive drugs function?
- Depleting lymphocyte populations through cytotoxic effects.
- Directly targeting and neutralizing foreign antigens. (correct)
- Interfering with T cell activation and proliferation.
- Modulating inflammatory cytokine production.
A patient undergoing a kidney transplant is prescribed cyclosporine. What is the primary mechanism by which cyclosporine prevents organ rejection?
A patient undergoing a kidney transplant is prescribed cyclosporine. What is the primary mechanism by which cyclosporine prevents organ rejection?
- Preventing antigen presentation to T-cells.
- Blocking IL-2 production and T-cell activation. (correct)
- Enhancing the activity of suppressor T-cells.
- Directly killing rapidly dividing cells, including T-cells.
Why are patients on immunosuppressants, such as azathioprine, at an increased risk of developing lymphomas and other malignancies?
Why are patients on immunosuppressants, such as azathioprine, at an increased risk of developing lymphomas and other malignancies?
- The suppressed immune system is less effective at detecting and destroying cancerous cells. (correct)
- Immunosuppressants stimulate the overproduction of growth factors.
- The drugs directly cause mutations in rapidly dividing cells.
- The drugs directly interfere with DNA repair mechanisms.
Which of the following immunosuppressants is LEAST likely to cause bone marrow suppression as a significant side effect?
Which of the following immunosuppressants is LEAST likely to cause bone marrow suppression as a significant side effect?
A newborn presents with severe hemolytic disease due to Rh incompatibility. Which type of immunoglobulin is typically administered to the mother to prevent this condition in future pregnancies?
A newborn presents with severe hemolytic disease due to Rh incompatibility. Which type of immunoglobulin is typically administered to the mother to prevent this condition in future pregnancies?
What is the primary rationale for using immunostimulants in patients with chronic viral infections such as Hepatitis B and C?
What is the primary rationale for using immunostimulants in patients with chronic viral infections such as Hepatitis B and C?
A patient with colorectal cancer is being considered for treatment with Thymosin. What is the intended mechanism of action of Thymosin in this context?
A patient with colorectal cancer is being considered for treatment with Thymosin. What is the intended mechanism of action of Thymosin in this context?
Why is the clinical use of immunostimulants considered to be of 'limited importance' compared to other treatment modalities?
Why is the clinical use of immunostimulants considered to be of 'limited importance' compared to other treatment modalities?
Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is being considered for a patient. What is the MOST important consideration regarding the administration and composition of IVIG?
Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is being considered for a patient. What is the MOST important consideration regarding the administration and composition of IVIG?
A patient with rheumatoid arthritis is not responding well to conventional DMARDs and is being considered for treatment with Anti-Lymphocyte Globulin (ALG). What is the primary mechanism by which ALG is expected to alleviate the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis?
A patient with rheumatoid arthritis is not responding well to conventional DMARDs and is being considered for treatment with Anti-Lymphocyte Globulin (ALG). What is the primary mechanism by which ALG is expected to alleviate the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis?
Flashcards
Immunosuppressive Drugs
Immunosuppressive Drugs
Drugs that suppress the immune response.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids
Prednisone and dexamethasone are examples.
Cyclosporine
Cyclosporine
Cyclosporine is a common immunosuppressant.
Cytotoxic Agents (as Immunosuppressants)
Cytotoxic Agents (as Immunosuppressants)
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Antibodies (as Immunosuppressants)
Antibodies (as Immunosuppressants)
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Indications for Immunosuppressants
Indications for Immunosuppressants
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General Side Effects of Immunosuppressants
General Side Effects of Immunosuppressants
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Immunostimulants
Immunostimulants
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Uses of Immunostimulants
Uses of Immunostimulants
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Thymosin
Thymosin
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Study Notes
- Immunomodulators are drugs that affect the immune system.
- A foreign substance, or antigen, can be an infectious agent, transplant, transformed tissue, or autologous material.
- Foreign substances stimulate an immune response, potentially leading to disease.
Immunosuppressive Drugs
- Immunosuppressive drugs suppress the immune response.
- Classes include corticosteroids, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, cytotoxic agents, and antibodies.
- Examples of Corticosteroids: Prednisone and dexamethasone.
- Examples of Cytotoxic Agents: Azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and mycophenolate mofetil.
- Examples of Antibodies: Anti-Lymphocyte Globulin (ALG), Anti-Thymocyte Globulin (ATG), Muramonab-CD3 monoclonal antibody, and Rh 0 D Immunoglobulin.
- General uses of immunosuppressives include organ transplantation, acute rejection of transplanted tissue, autoimmune diseases, and isoimmune hemolytic disease.
- Organ transplant examples include: Renal, cardiac, hepatic, and bone marrow.
- Autoimmune diseases: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Nephrotic Syndrome, Psoriasis, Haemolytic Anemia and Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)
- Isoimmune Hemolytic Disease: Erythroblastosis Foetalis (Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn).
- Side effects include increased risk of infection (viral, bacterial, and fungal); increased incidence of lymphomas and malignant neoplasms, and bone marrow depression (with cytotoxic agents).
Immunostimulants
- Immunostimulants enhance the immune system.
- Uses include immune deficiency conditions; chronic infections, and cancer.
- Immune deficiency conditions: Congenital, such as DeGeorge syndrome, or acquired, such as AIDS
- Chronic Infections: Hepatitis B & C.
- Immunostimulants' effects are generalized, not specific, and their magnitude is small.
- Examples include thymosin and its derivatives, Nigella sativa, garlic, and honey.
- Thymosin increases the number and maturation of T cells and induces production of IL2 and its receptor; it is used in immune deficiency with Hodgkin's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and colorectal cancer.
- Immunoglobulins are prepared from pooled blood and contain all immunoglobulin subclasses; used I.M. or I.V. with a half-life of about 3 weeks.
- Indications: Humoral and combined immune deficiencies, hematological disorders, and infectious diseases; it is prophylactic against infection in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, Kawasaki disease, and multiple myeloma.
- Hematological Disorders: Autoimmune hemolytic anemia.
- Infectious Diseases: Measles and hepatitis. Side effects: Hypersensitivity reactions and transmission of diseases.
Cytokines of Therapeutic Value
- INF-alfa: Used for Cancer, AIDS, Hepatitis B & C.
- INF-beta: Used for Multiple Sclerosis.
- INF-gamma: Used for Chronic granulomatous infections.
- CSFs: Used for leucopenia (induced by cancer chemotherapy).
- I L-2: Used for Metastatic Renal Carcinoma.
- TNF: Used for Malignant Melanoma.
- Cytokine inhibitors: Anti-TNF & Anti-IL1, used in septic shock.
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Description
Learn about Immunosuppressive drugs and how they suppress the immune response. These drugs are used for organ transplantation, acute rejection of transplanted tissue, autoimmune diseases, and isoimmune hemolytic disease.
