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Revisiones-Ciencias Básicas-Fisiología *** Reviews-Basic Sciences-Physiology

 

AGENTES INMUNOSUPRESORES *** IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE COMPOUNDS

(Conceptos / Keywords: Immunosuppressive comp; Muromonab-cd3; Sirolimus; Tacrolimus; Cyclosporine; Mycophenolic acid; Antilymphocyte serum; Immunosuppressive comp. used in oncology, etc).

 

Enero / January 2001 --- Marzo / March 2004

 

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Enlace / Link

 

[1]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Dendritic cells: emerging pharmacological targets of immunosuppressive drugs.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Nat Rev Immunol 2004 Jan;4(1):24-34.

      ●● Enlace al texto completo (gratuito o de pago) 1038/nri1256

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Hackstein H; Thomson AW

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Institute for Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Langhansstr. 7, D-35392 Giessen, Germany. holger.hackstein@immunologie.med.uni-giessen.de

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Immunosuppressive drugs have revolutionized organ transplantation and improved the therapeutic management of autoimmune diseases. The development of immunosuppressive drugs and understanding of their action traditionally has been focused on lymphocytes, but recent evidence indicates that these agents interfere with immune responses at the earliest stage, targeting key functions of dendritic cells (DCs). Here, we review our present understanding of how classical and new immunosuppressive agents interfere with DC development and function. This knowledge might provide a rational basis for the selection of immunosuppressive drugs in different clinical settings and for the generation of tolerogenic DCs in the laboratory.  N. Ref:: 116

 

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[2]

- Castellano -

TÍTULO / TITLE:La ruta de senalizacion CA++/calcineurina/NFAT en activacion endotelial y angiogenesis: efectos de la ciclosporina A. CA++/ calcineurin/NFAT signaling in endothelial activation and angiogenesis: effects od cyclosporin A .

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Nefrologia. Acceso gratuito al texto completo.

      ●● Enlace a la Editora de la Revista http://www.aulamedica.es/nefrologia/ 

      ●● Cita: Nefrologia: <> 2003;23 Suppl 3:44-8.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Quesada AJ; Redondo JM

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Centro de Biologia Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid y Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Sinesio Delgado, 4 28049 Cantoblanco, Madrid. jmredondo@cbm.uam.es  N. Ref:: 31

 

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[3]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Interleukin-2 receptor monoclonal antibodies in renal transplantation: meta-analysis of randomised trials.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - British Medical J (BMJ). Acceso gratuito al texto completo.

      ●● Enlace a la Editora de la Revista http://bmj.com/search.dtl 

      ●● Cita: British Medical J. (BMJ): <> 2003 Apr 12;326(7393):789.

      ●● Enlace al texto completo (gratuito o de pago) 1136/bmj.326.7393.789

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Adu D; Cockwell P; Ives NJ; Shaw J; Wheatley K

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Nephrology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, B15 2TH. dwomoa.adu@uhb.nhs.uk

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of interleukin-2 receptor monoclonal antibodies on acute rejection episodes, graft loss, deaths, and rate of infection and malignancy in patients with renal transplants. DESIGN: Meta-analysis of published data. DATA SOURCES: Medline, Embase, and Cochrane library for years 1996-2003 plus search of medical editors’ trial amnesty and contact with manufacturers of the antibodies. SELECTION OF STUDIES: Randomised controlled trials comparing interleukin-2 receptor antibodies with placebo or no additional treatment in patients with renal transplants receiving ciclosporin based immunosuppression. RESULTS: Eight randomised controlled trials involving 1871 patients met the selection criteria (although only 1858 patients were analysed). Interleukin-2 receptor antibodies significantly reduced the risk of acute rejection (odds ratio 0.51, 95% confidence interval 0.42 to 0.63). There were no significant differences in the rate of graft loss (0.78, 0.58 to 1.04), mortality (0.75, 0.46 to 1.23), overall incidence of infections (0.97, 0.77 to 1.24), incidence of cytomegalovirus infections (0.81, 0.62 to 1.04), or risk of malignancies at one year (0.82, 0.39 to 1.70). The different antibodies had a similar sized effect on acute rejection (test for heterogeneity P=0.7): anti-Tac (0.37, 0.16 to 0.89), BT563 (0.37, 0.1 to 1.38), basiliximab (0.56, 0.44 to 0.72), and daclizumab (0.46, 0.32 to 0.67). The reduction in acute rejections was similar for all ciclosporin based immunosuppression regimens (test for heterogeneity P=1.0). CONCLUSIONS: Adding interleukin-2 receptor antibodies to ciclosporin based immunosuppression reduces episodes of acute rejection at six months by 49%. There is no evidence of an increased risk of infective complications. Longer follow up studies are needed to confirm whether interleukin-2 receptor antibodies improve long term graft and patient survival.

 

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[4]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Novel therapeutic molecular targets for prostate cancer: the mTOR signaling pathway and epidermal growth factor receptor.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - J Urol 2004 Feb;171(2 Pt 2):S41-3; discussion S44.

      ●● Enlace al texto completo (gratuito o de pago) 1097/01.ju.0000108100.53239.b7

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Tolcher AW

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Director Clinical Research, Institute for Drug Development Cancer Therapy and Research Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - PURPOSE: The scientific rationale and existing evidence for the use of novel molecular targets in the chemoprevention of cancer are reviewed, with special attention to prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A search for relevant literature on basic science and clinical trials was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE. RESULTS: The emergence of molecularly targeted therapies for advanced malignancies creates an important opportunity to examine these agents for the chemoprevention of prostate cancer. Two critical targets in the proliferation and malignant transformation of normal cells, the PI3/Akt signal transduction pathway and the epidermal growth factor receptor, are currently the focus of several novel investigational therapies that are in late stage phase II and phase III studies. CONCLUSIONS: Research to date supports consideration of these novel molecular targets as future agents in the chemoprevention of prostate cancer.  N. Ref:: 28

 

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[5]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - A randomized long-term trial of tacrolimus/sirolimus versus tacrolimus/mycophenolate mofetil versus cyclosporine (NEORAL)/sirolimus in renal transplantation. II. Survival, function, and protocol compliance at 1 year.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplantation 2004 Jan 27;77(2):252-8.

      ●● Enlace al texto completo (gratuito o de pago) 1097/01.TP.0000101495.22734.07

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Ciancio G; Burke GW; Gaynor JJ; Mattiazzi A; Roth D; Kupin W; Nicolas M; Ruiz P; Rosen A; Miller J

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33101, USA. gciancio@med.miami.edu

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - BACKGROUND: In an attempt to reduce chronic calcineurin inhibitor induced allograft nephropathy in first cadaver and human leukocyte antigen non-identical living-donor renal transplantation, sirolimus (Siro) or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) was tested as adjunctive therapy, with planned dose reductions of tacrolimus (Tacro) over the first year postoperatively. Adjunctive Siro therapy with a similar dose reduction algorithm for Neoral (Neo) was included for comparison. METHODS: The detailed dose reduction plan (Tacro and Siro, group A; Tacro and MMF, group B; Neo and Siro, group C) is described in our companion report in this issue of Transplantation. The present report documents function, patient and graft survival, protocol compliance, and adverse events. RESULTS: As mentioned (in companion report), group demographics were similar. The present study shows no significant differences in 1-year patient and graft survival but does show a trend that points to more difficulties in group C by way of a rising slope of serum creatinine concentration (P=0.02) and decreasing creatinine clearance (P=0.04). There were more patients who discontinued the protocol plan in group C. Thus far, no posttransplant lymphomas have appeared, and infectious complications have not differed among the groups. However, a greater percentage of patients in group C were placed on antihyperlipidemia therapy, with an (unexpected) trend toward a higher incidence of posttransplant diabetes mellitus in this group. Group A required fewer, and group B the fewest, antihyperlipidemia therapeutic interventions (P<0.00001). CONCLUSIONS: This 1-year interim analysis of a long-term, prospective, randomized renal-transplant study indicates that decreasing maintenance dosage of Tacro with adjunctive Siro or MMF appears to point to improved long-term function, with reasonably few adverse events.

 

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[6]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Regulation of translation initiation by FRAP/mTOR.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Genes Dev. Acceso gratuito al texto completo a partir de 1 año de la fecha de publicación.

      ●● Enlace a la Editora de la Revista http://www.genesdev.org/ 

      ●● Cita: Genes & Development: <> 2001 Apr 1;15(7):807-26.

      ●● Enlace al texto completo (gratuito o de pago) 1101/gad.887201

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Gingras AC; Raught B; Sonenberg N

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada.  N. Ref:: 236

 

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[7]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Rapamycin plays a new role as differentiator of vascular smooth muscle phenotype. focus on “The mTOR/p70 S6K1 pathway regulates vascular smooth muscle differentiation”.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. Acceso gratuito al texto completo.

      ●● Enlace a la Editora de la Revista http://ajpcell.physiology.org/contents-by-date.0.shtml 

      ●● Cita: Am J Physiol Cell Physiol: <> 2004 Mar;286(3):C480-1.

      ●● Enlace al texto completo (gratuito o de pago) 1152/ajpcell.00526.2003

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Lucchesi PA  N. Ref:: 12

 

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[8]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - CD3-specific antibody-induced active tolerance: from bench to bedside.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Nat Rev Immunol 2003 Feb;3(2):123-32.

      ●● Enlace al texto completo (gratuito o de pago) 1038/nri1000

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Chatenoud L

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Centre de l’Association Claude Bernard sur les Maladies Autoimmunes and Hopital Necker Enfants Malades IRNEM, 161 Rue de Sevres, 75015 Paris, France. chatenoud@necker.fr

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Although they were used initially as non-specific immunosuppressants in transplantation, CD3-specific monoclonal antibodies have elicited renewed interest owing to their capacity to induce immune tolerance. In mouse models of autoimmune diabetes, CD3-specific antibodies induce stable disease remission by restoring tolerance to pancreatic beta-cells. This phenomenon was extended recently to the clinic—preservation of beta-cell function in recently diagnosed patients with diabetes was achieved by short-term administration of a CD3-specific antibody. CD3-specific antibodies arrest ongoing disease by rapidly clearing pathogenic T cells from the target. Subsequently, they promote long-term T-cell-mediated active tolerance. Recent data indicate that transforming growth factor-beta-dependent CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells might have a central role in this effect.  N. Ref:: 117

 

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[9]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Drug immunosuppression therapy for adult heart transplantation. Part 2: clinical applications and results.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Ann Thorac Surg 2004 Jan;77(1):363-71.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Mueller XM

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. xavier.mueller@usherbrooke.ca

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - This review describes the clinical application of classical immunosuppressive drugs as well as that of more recent drugs. All current immunosuppressive drugs target T-cell activation, and cytokine production and clonal expansion, or both. Immunosuppressive protocols can be broadly divided into induction therapy, maintenance immunosuppression, and treatment of acute rejection episodes.  N. Ref:: 82

 

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[10]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - In vitro generation of IL-10-producing regulatory CD4+ T cells is induced by immunosuppressive drugs and inhibited by Th1- and Th2-inducing cytokines.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Immunol Lett 2003 Jan 22;85(2):135-9.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - O’Garra A; Barrat FJ

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Division of Immunoregulation, The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, NW7 1AA, London, UK.  N. Ref:: 40

 

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[11]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Renal transplantation: can we reduce calcineurin inhibitor/stop steroids? Evidence based on protocol biopsy findings.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - J Am Soc Nephrol. Acceso gratuito al texto completo a partir de 1 año de la fecha de publicación.

      ●● Enlace a la Editora de la Revista http://www.jasn.org/ 

      ●● Cita: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology: <> 2003 Mar;14(3):755-66.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Gotti E; Perico N; Perna A; Gaspari F; Cattaneo D; Caruso R; Ferrari S; Stucchi N; Marchetti G; Abbate M; Remuzzi G

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Medicine and Transplantation, Ospedali Riuniti di Bergamo, Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Italy.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - How to combine antirejection drugs and which is the optimal dose of steroids and calcineurin inhibitors beyond the first year after kidney transplantation to maintain adequate immunosuppression without major side effects are far from clear. Kidney transplant patients on steroid, cyclosporine (CsA), and azathioprine were randomized to per-protocol biopsy (n = 30) or no-biopsy (n = 29) 1 to 2 yr posttransplant. Steroid or CsA were discontinued or reduced on the basis of biopsy to establish effects on drug-related complications, acute rejection, and graft function over 3 yr of follow-up. Serum creatinine, GFR (plasma clearance of iohexol), RPF (renal clearance of p-aminohippurate), CsA pharmacokinetics, and adverse events were monitored yearly. At the end, patients underwent a second biopsy. Per-protocol biopsy histology revealed no lesions (n = 5, steroid withdrawal), CsA nephropathy (n = 13, CsA discontinuation/reduction), or chronic rejection (n = 12, standard therapy). Reducing the drug regimen led to overall fewer side effects related to immunosuppression as compared with standard therapy or no-biopsy. Steroids were safely stopped with no acute rejection or graft loss. Complete CsA discontinuation was associated with acute rejection in the first four patients. Lowering CsA to low target CsA trough (30 to 70 ng/ml) never led to acute rejection or major renal function deterioration. Biopsy patients on conventional regimen had no acute rejection, one graft loss, no significant change in GFR, and significant RPF decline. No-biopsy controls: no acute rejection, one graft loss, significant decline of GFR and RPF. By serial biopsy analysis, severe lesions did not develop in patients with steroid discontinuation in contrast to patients on standard therapy over follow-up. CsA reduction did not adversely affect histology. Per-protocol biopsy more than 1 yr after kidney transplantation is a safe procedure to guide change of drug regimen and to lower the risk of major side effects.

 

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[12]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Drug immunosuppression therapy for adult heart transplantation. Part 1: immune response to allograft and mechanism of action of immunosuppressants.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Ann Thorac Surg 2004 Jan;77(1):354-62.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Mueller XM

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. xavier.mueller@usherbrooke.ca

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - In the early days of transplantation, immunosuppression therapy was rather broad and nonspecific, mainly using high-dose corticosteroids and azathioprine. Thereafter we progressively narrowed the target of immunosuppressive strategy starting with polyclonal antibodies. The introduction of cyclosporine, OKT3, and tacrolimus further narrowed the target on the T-cell pathways. More recently mycophenolate mofetil progressively took the place of azathioprine with its higher lymphocyte specificity and sirolimus and interleukin-2 receptor antibodies were introduced. In this field in constant movement the aim is to find a drug or a regimen that provides optimal immunosuppression therapy with minimal side effects, in other words to find the right balance between overimmunosuppression and underimmunosuppression therapy. This review is divided into two parts. The first part will provide a basic understanding of the immunologic response to allograft and explain how conventional and recently introduced immunosuppressive agents work. The second part will describe the clinical application of immunosuppressive drugs to provide practical information for those in charge of heart transplant recipients.  N. Ref:: 68

 

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[13]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Cholesteryl ester transfer protein facilitates the movement of water-insoluble drugs between lipoproteins: a novel biological function for a well-characterized lipid transfer protein.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Biochem Pharmacol 2002 Dec 15;64(12):1669-75.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Kwong M; Wasan KM

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Division of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of British Columbia, 2146 East Mall Avenue, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z3.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - This review article addresses the recently discovered finding that cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) can facilitate the transfer of water-insoluble drugs between different lipoprotein subclasses. This protein, which is often referred to as lipid transfer protein I (LTP I), is involved in the lipid regulation of lipoproteins. It is responsible for the facilitated transfer of core lipoprotein lipids, cholesteryl ester and triglycerides, and approximately one-third of the coat lipoprotein lipid, phosphatidylcholine, between different plasma lipoproteins. The human body appears to recognize exogenous water-insoluble drugs as lipid-like particles, which suggests that these compounds may interact with lipoproteins just like endogenous plasma lipids, and thus their transfer between lipoproteins may be facilitated by plasma CETP. Patients with a variety of diseases (i.e. diabetes, cancer, AIDS) often exhibit hypo- and/or hypercholesterolemia and triglyceridemia, commonly referred to as dyslipidemias, which result in changes in their plasma lipoprotein-lipid composition and concentration. The interaction of water-insoluble drugs with these dyslipidemic lipoproteins may be responsible for the differences seen in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the drug within different diseased patient populations. It is possible that these differences may be linked to the ability of CETP to transfer these compounds from one lipoprotein to another. This review examines the current understanding of the relationship between CETP activity and the lipoprotein distribution of a number of compounds (e.g. amphotericin B and cyclosporine A). It further suggests that additional research will expand our understanding of the role of CETP to explain other functions in lipophilic drug distribution and metabolism.  N. Ref:: 45

 

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[14]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Advances in transplantation tolerance.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Lancet 2001 Jun 16;357(9272):1959-63.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Yu X; Carpenter P; Anasetti C

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Human Immunogenetics Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Immunosuppressive drugs developed in the past two decades have improved the short-term survival of organ allografts, but tolerance has not been achieved and almost all transplant recipients continue to require drugs throughout life. Graft rejection arises from the cognate interaction of T cells with antigen-presenting cells, the recognition of alloantigen through the T-cell receptor, and the delivery of accessory stimulation signals. Once activated by the specific antigen, replicating T cells die if they are re-exposed to the same antigen. Since depletion of antigen-activated T cells is one critical mechanism of transplantation tolerance, drugs such as ciclosporin that interfere with activation-induced T-cell death could inhibit tolerance, whereas drugs such as mycophenolate mofetil, that induce the death of activated T cells, could facilitate tolerance. Other tolerance mechanisms depend on inactivation rather than elimination of allograft reactive T cells. When antigen recognition occurs without costimulation through the CD28 and CD154 accessory receptors, or in absence of cell division, T cells become unresponsive. Thus, inhibitors of CD28 and CD154, and inhibition of T-cell division by rapamycin promotes transplantation tolerance.  N. Ref:: 54

 

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[15]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Treatment of nephrotic syndrome in children and controlled trials.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Nephrol Dial Transplant. Acceso gratuito al texto completo a partir de los 2 años de la fecha de publicación.

      ●● Enlace a la Editora de la Revista http://ndt.oupjournals.org/ 

      ●● Cita: Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation: <> 2003 Aug;18 Suppl 6:vi75-8.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Filler G

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Paediatrics, Division of Nephrology, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, University of Ottawa, Canada. filler@cheo.on.ca

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - AIM: To determine the sequential therapy of childhood nephrotic syndrome (NS) with presumed minimal change nephropathy using the evidence from clinical trials. METHODS: Meta-analysis of 22 randomized controlled trials was performed, using frequency of relapse and side effects of therapeutic regimes. RESULTS: A meta-analysis of seven trials comparing duration of therapy for initial onset showed that duration of at least 3 months significantly reduced the risk of relapse at 12-24 months (relative risk 0.73; 95% confidence interval 0.60-0.89) without an increase in adverse events. Five trials were performed for steroid treatment of relapse. Deflazacort reduced relapses during therapy, but is not generally available. No difference was observed when comparing single and divided dosing of prednisone. Frequency of relapses could not be influenced by duration of relapse therapy. Alternate day therapy was more effective than intermittent use of prednisone. Two studies out of five on cyclophosphamide or chlorambucil showed consistently that alkylating agents should be used before cyclosporine as alternative therapy to steroids. CONCLUSIONS: Children with initial onset of NS should be treated with prednisone at a dose of 60 mg/m(2)/day for 6 weeks, followed by a dose of 40 mg/m(2)/48 h for at least another 6 weeks. If steroid toxicity for treatment of relapsing NS requires alternative treatment, cyclophosphamide (2 mg/kg/day for at least 8 weeks) remains the drug of choice with a curative potential. If children still relapse after alkylating agents, levamisole may serve as an alternative only for frequent relapsing NS, whereas steroid-dependent NS should be treated with cyclosporine.

 

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[16]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Effects of immunosuppressive drugs on dendritic cells and tolerance induction.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplantation 2003 May 15;75(9 Suppl):37S-42S.

      ●● Enlace al texto completo (gratuito o de pago) 1097/01.TP.0000067950.90241.1D

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Lagaraine C; Lebranchu Y

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - EA 3249, Cellules hematopoietiques, hemostase et greffe, Laboratoire d’immunologie, Faculte de medecine, Tours, France.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Dendritic cells, the most effective antigen-presenting cells for priming naive T cells and initiating immune responses, are also able to induce tolerance. This balance between immunity and tolerance depends on the functional stage of dendritic cells (DC). Activation of naive T cells by immature DC can induce tolerance. It is therefore of interest to summarize the effects of immunosuppressive agents on DC maturation and functions. In contrast to glucocorticosteroids, mycophenolate mofetil, and vitamin D(3) analogs, calcineurin inhibitors do not seem to inhibit DC maturation in in vitro culture systems. However, these molecules all appear to interfere with DC functions.  N. Ref:: 44

 

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[17]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Donor-specific tolerance in fully major histocompatibility major histocompatibility complex-mismatched limb allograft transplants under an anti-alphabeta T-cell receptor monoclonal antibody and cyclosporine A protocol.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplantation 2003 Dec 27;76(12):1662-8.

      ●● Enlace al texto completo (gratuito o de pago) 1097/01.TP.0000105343.49626.6F

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Siemionow MZ; Izycki DM; Zielinski M

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Plastic Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, A60, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. siemiom@ccf.org

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - BACKGROUND: Recent studies have demonstrated that treatment with alphabeta-T-cell receptor (TCR) monoclonal antibody and cyclosporine A (CsA) can extend survival in composite tissue allografts (CTA). The purpose of this study was to induce tolerance in fully major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-mismatched rat limb allografts under 7 days of a combined alphabeta-TCR-CsA protocol. METHODS: The authors performed 30 hind-limb allotransplantations across the MHC barrier between Brown Norway donors (BN; RT1n) and Lewis recipients (LEW; RT1l). Isograft and allograft controls received no treatment. The experimental groups received monotherapy of alphabeta-TCR and CsA or a combination of alphabeta-TCR and CsA for 7 days only. Donor-specific tolerance and immunocompetence were determined by standard skin grafting in vivo and mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) in vitro. The efficacy of immunosuppressive therapy and the level of donor-specific chimerism were determined by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Long-term survival (>350 days) was achieved in allograft recipients (n=6) under the 7-day protocol of combined alphabeta-TCR-CsA. Donor-specific tolerance and immunocompetence of long-term chimeras were confirmed by acceptance of skin grafts from the donors and rejection of the third-party alloantigens (AxC Irish). At day 120, MLR demonstrated unresponsiveness to the host and donor antigens but strong reactivity against third-party alloantigens. Flow cytometry confirmed the high efficacy of immunosuppressive treatment and the development of donor-specific chimerism (7.6% of CD4+-RT1n+ cells, 1.3% of CD8+-RT1n+ cells, and 16.5% of CD45RA+-RT1n+ cells) in the periphery of tolerated recipients. CONCLUSIONS: Combined therapy of alphabeta-TCR-CsA for 7 days resulted in tolerance induction in fully MHC-mismatched rat hind-limb allografts. Tolerance was directly associated with stable, donor-specific chimerism.

 

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[18]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - The fission yeast TOR proteins and the rapamycin response: an unexpected tale.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2004;279:85-95.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Weisman R

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, 69978 Tel-Aviv, Israel. ronitt@post.tau.ac.il

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - The TOR proteins are known as key regulators of cell growth in response to nutritional and mitogenic signals and as targets for the immunosuppressive and anti-cancerous drug rapamycin. The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe has two TOR homologues, tor1+ and tor2+. Despite their structural similarity, these genes have distinct functions: tor1+ is required under starvation, extreme temperatures, and osmotic or oxidative stress conditions, whereas tor2+ is required under normal growth conditions. Surprisingly, rapamycin does not seem to inhibit the S. pombe TOR-related functions. Rapamycin specifically inhibits sexual development in S. pombe, and this seems to stem from direct inhibition of the S. pombe FKBP12 homologue. Why S. pombe cells are resistant to rapamycin during the growth phase is as yet unclear and awaits further analysis of the TOR-dependent signaling pathways.  N. Ref:: 27

 

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[19]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Renal function as a predictor of long-term graft survival in renal transplant patients.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Nephrol Dial Transplant. Acceso gratuito al texto completo a partir de los 2 años de la fecha de publicación.

      ●● Enlace a la Editora de la Revista http://ndt.oupjournals.org/ 

      ●● Cita: Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation: <> 2003 May;18 Suppl 1:i3-6.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - First MR

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Research and Development, Fujisawa Healthcare, Inc., Deerfield, IL 60015, USA. roy_first@fujisawa.com

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Acute rejection is a major risk factor for kidney graft failure. However, as acute rejection has been progressively reduced by recent immunosuppressive regimens, other risk factors are becoming increasingly important. Evidence is accumulating that early renal function predicts long-term outcome. A recent registry survey of more than 100 000 kidney transplants found that 6- and 12-month serum creatinine levels, as well as the change between 6 and 12 months, are strongly associated with long-term graft survival. A survey of paediatric renal transplant recipients showed that poor creatinine clearance (<50 ml/min) as early as 30 days post-transplant predicted an annual rate of graft loss of 13% compared with <3% in patients with 30-day clearance >50 ml/min. This association between early renal function and long-term outcome was confirmed in multicentre studies. Renal transplant recipients (n=572) with 6-month serum creatinine levels >1.5 mg/dl suffered 3-year graft loss of 19.3% compared with only 8.5% in patients with levels <1.6 mg/dl (P<0.001). Significantly fewer patients receiving tacrolimus had 12-month serum creatinine levels >1.5 mg/dl compared with cyclosporin (42 versus 54%, P<0.05). Interestingly, a single-centre study (n=436) found that while glomerular filtration rate (GFR) at 6 months post-transplant had remained stable over the last decade, the rate of loss of renal function had decreased. A lower rate of GFR loss was associated with absence of rejection, use of mycophenolate mofetil rather than azathioprine and use of tacrolimus rather than cyclosporin (P<0.01). In conclusion, early measures of renal function allow identification of those patients at highest risk of graft failure and provide an invaluable tool for improving outcomes by tailored immunosuppression. The choice of such immunosuppression should be guided not only by its ability to prevent rejection, but also by its impact on renal function.  N. Ref:: 11

 

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[20]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Composite tissue allotransplantation in chimeric hosts part II. A clinically relevant protocol to induce tolerance in a rat model.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplantation 2003 Dec 15;76(11):1548-55.

      ●● Enlace al texto completo (gratuito o de pago) 1097/01.TP.0000085288.12571.65

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Prabhune KA; Gorantla VS; Perez-Abadia G; Francois CG; Vossen M; Laurentin-Perez LA; Breidenbach WC; Wang GG; Anderson GL; Pidwell DJ; Barker JH; Maldonado C

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - BACKGROUND: We and others have shown that mixed allogeneic chimerism induces donor-specific tolerance to composite tissue allografts across major histocompatibility complex barriers without the need for immunosuppression. However, a delay period between bone marrow transplantation and limb allotransplantation is required, making such protocols impractical for clinical application. This study eliminates this delay period in a rat hind limb allotransplantation model by performing mixed allogeneic chimerism induction and transplantation “simultaneously.” METHODS: Group 1 included controls in which naive Wistar Furth (WF) hosts received ACI hind limbs. Group 2 included (ACI-->WF) chimeras that received limbs from third-party donors (Fisher), and group 3 included chimeras that received irradiated (1,050 cGy) ACI limbs. In group 4, WF hosts conditioned with 950 cGy received irradiated (1,050 cGy) ACI limbs followed by infusion of 100 x 10(6) ACI T-cell-depleted bone marrow cells and immunotherapy (tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil) for 28 days. Group 5 animals received the same treatment as group 4 animals without immunotherapy. RESULTS: The rats in groups 1 and 2 rejected their limbs within 10 days. Only one rat in group 4 survived to the end of the study. Groups 3 and 5 demonstrated long-term limb survival without rejection or graft-versus-host disease. High levels of donor chimerism (>80%) were achieved and maintained throughout the study. Mixed lymphocyte reaction assays in both groups revealed donor-specific hyporesponsiveness with vigorous third-party reactivity. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that infusion of donor bone marrow cells into conditioned hosts immediately after limb transplantation results in stable mixed chimerism, robust tolerance, and reliable limb allograft survival.

 

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[21]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Tacrolimus ointment for the treatment of atopic dermatitis: clinical and pharmacologic effects.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Allergy Asthma Proc 2002 May-Jun;23(3):191-7.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Rico MJ; Lawrence I

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Fujisawa Healthcare, Inc, 3 Pookway North Deerfeild, IL 60022, USA.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - The topical immunomodulator tacrolimus ointment has been shown to be safe and effective in the treatment of atopic dermatitis in clinical trials involving over 16,000 patients. Clinical trial results focusing on tacrolimus’ safety and efficacy are summarized. Minimal systemic absorption results from topical application in patients with atopic dermatitis. Although the exact mechanism of action of tacrolimus ointment in atopic dermatitis is unknown, tacrolimus is known to inhibit up-regulation of cytokine production following T cell activation and to decrease Fc epsilon RI expression on dendritic antigen-presenting cells in skin. Additional mechanisms of action of tacrolimus relevant in the pathogenesis of inflammatory skin disorders are discussed.  N. Ref:: 27

 

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[22]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - mTOR as a positive regulator of tumor cell responses to hypoxia.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2004;279:299-319.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Abraham RT

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Program in Signal Transduction Research, The Burnham Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. abraham@burnham.org

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Rapamycin is a clinically approved immunosuppressive agent that has recently shown promising antitumor activities in human patients. In contrast to many conventional chemotherapeutic agents, rapamycin displays a remarkably high level of selectivity for certain types of tumors. The pharmacological activities of rapamycin are attributable to the functional inhibition of a single target protein, termed the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Because mTOR is widely expressed in both normal and transformed cells, variations in mTOR expression levels are likely not a primary determinant of tumor sensitivity to rapamycin. However, recent studies highlighted an intriguing link between cancer cell sensitivity to rapamycin and deregulated signaling through the phosphoinositide (PI) 3-kinase pathway. These findings have prompted a search for cancer-related responses that are jointly regulated by the PI 3-kinase signaling cascade and mTOR. The oxygen-regulated transcription factor, hypoxia-induced factor (HIF)-1, has emerged as a candidate target for both of these two highly interactive signaling proteins. Here we review evidence that mTOR functions as a positive regulator of HIF-1-dependent responses to hypoxic stress in human cancer cells.  N. Ref:: 71

 

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[23]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - TGF-beta expression in protocol transplant liver biopsies: a comparative study between cyclosporine-A (CyA) and tacrolimus (FK 506) immunosuppression.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplant Proc 2001 Feb-Mar;33(1-2):1378-80.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Mohamed MA; Burt AD; Robertson H; Kirby JA; Talbot D

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Transplant Immunobiology Group, Department of Surgery, University of Newcastle, NE2 4HH, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.

 

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[24]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Elucidating TOR signaling and rapamycin action: lessons from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Microbiol Mol Biol Rev. - Acceso gratuito al texto completo a partir de 1 año de la fecha de publicación.

      ●● Enlace a la Editora de la Revista http://mmbr.asm.org/ 

      ●● Cita: Microbiology & Molecular Biology Reviews: <> 2002 Dec;66(4):579-91, table of contents.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Crespo JL; Hall MN

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Division of Biochemistry, Biozentrum, University of Basel, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - TOR (target of rapamycin) is a phosphatidylinositol kinase-related protein kinase that controls cell growth in response to nutrients. Rapamycin is an immunosuppressive and anticancer drug that acts by inhibiting TOR. The modes of action of TOR and rapamycin are remarkably conserved from S. cerevisiae to humans. The current understanding of TOR and rapamycin is derived largely from studies with S. cerevisiae. In this review, we discuss the contributions made by S. cerevisiae to understanding rapamycin action and TOR function.  N. Ref:: 171

 

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[25]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - European best practice guidelines for renal transplantation. Section IV: Long-term management of the transplant recipient. IV.3.2. Long-term immunosuppression. Therapy conversion.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Nephrol Dial Transplant. Acceso gratuito al texto completo a partir de los 2 años de la fecha de publicación.

      ●● Enlace a la Editora de la Revista http://ndt.oupjournals.org/ 

      ●● Cita: Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation: <> 2002;17 Suppl 4:20-1.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - GUIDELINE: Conversion of immunosuppressive drug therapy is recommended to avoid or reduce drug-specific adverse effects, and is generally safe for long-term graft outcome.

 

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[26]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Nutrient signaling through TOR kinases controls gene expression and cellular differentiation in fungi.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2004;279:53-72.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Rohde JR; Cardenas ME

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - The TOR kinases were first identified in Saccharomyces cerevisiae as the targets of the immunosuppressive drug rapamycin. Subsequent studies employing rapamycin as a tool in yeast have given us insight into the structure and function of the TOR kinases, as well as the biological role of the TOR signaling program in transmitting nutrient signals to promote cell growth. One of the major advances from this area has been in defining an unexpected role for TOR signaling in the regulation of transcription. The identification of target genes subject to regulation by TOR has provided a platform for the dissection of the signaling events downstream of the TOR kinases. Studies aimed at understanding TOR-regulated transcription have begun to shed light on how TOR signaling cooperates with other signaling programs. In addition, the TOR pathway regulates the developmental program of pseudohyphal differentiation in concert with highly conserved MAP kinase and PKA signaling programs. Remarkably, rapamycin also blocks filamentation in a number of important human and plant pathogens and the mechanism of rapamycin action is conserved in Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans. The antimicrobial properties of less immunosuppressive analogs of rapamycin hold promise for the development of an effective antifungal therapy.  N. Ref:: 65

 

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[27]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Signaling pathways involved in translational control of protein synthesis in skeletal muscle by leucine.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - J Nutr. Acceso gratuito al texto completo a partir de 1 año de la fecha de publicación.

      ●● Enlace a la Editora de la Revista http://www.nutrition.org/ 

      ●● Cita: Journal of Nutrition: <> 2001 Mar;131(3):856S-860S.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Anthony JC; Anthony TG; Kimball SR; Jefferson LS

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, P.O. Box 850, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Numerous reports established that in skeletal muscle the indispensable branched-chain amino acid leucine is unique in its ability to initiate signal transduction pathways that modulate translation initiation. Oral administration of leucine stimulates protein synthesis in association with hyperphosphorylation of the translational repressor, eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4E binding protein 1 (4E-BP1), resulting in enhanced availability of the mRNA cap-binding protein eIF4E, for binding eIF4G and forming the active eIF4F complex. In addition, leucine enhances phosphorylation of the 70-kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase (S6K1). These results suggest that leucine upregulates protein synthesis in skeletal muscle by enhancing both the activity and synthesis of proteins involved in mRNA translation. The stimulatory effects of leucine on translation initiation are mediated in part through the protein kinase mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), where both insulin signaling and leucine signaling converge to promote a maximal response.  N. Ref:: 34

 

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[28]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - A benefit-risk assessment of basiliximab in renal transplantation.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Drug Saf. Acceso gratuito al texto completo.

      ●● Enlace a la Editora de la Revista http://www.csmwm.org/ 

      ●● Cita: Drug Safety: <> 2004;27(2):91-106.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Boggi U; Danesi R; Vistoli F; Del Chiaro M; Signori S; Marchetti P; Del Tacca M; Mosca F

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Division of General Surgery and Transplants, Department of Oncology, Transplants and Advanced Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. uboggi@med.unipi.it

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and its receptor (IL-2R) play a central role in T lymphocyte activation and immune response after transplantation. Research on the biology of IL-2R allowed the identification of key signal transduction pathways involved in the generation of proliferative and antiapoptotic signals in T cells. The alpha-chain of the IL-2R is a specific peptide against which monoclonal antibodies have been raised, with the aim of blunting the immune response by means of inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis in primed lymphocytes. Indeed, basiliximab, one of such antibodies, has proved to be effective in reducing the episodes of acute rejection after kidney and pancreas transplantation. The use of basiliximab was associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of any treated rejection episodes after kidney transplantation in the two major randomised studies (placebo 52.2% vs basiliximab 34.2% at 6 months, European study; placebo 54.9% vs basiliximab 37.6% at 1 year, US trial). Basiliximab and equine antithymocyte globulin (ATG) administration resulted in a similar rate of biopsy-proven acute rejection at 6 months (19% for both) and at 12 months (19% and 20%, respectively). The use of basiliximab appears not to be associated with an increased incidence of adverse events as compared with placebo in immunosuppressive regimens, including calcineurin inhibitors, mycophenolate mofetil or azathioprine and corticosteroids, and its safety profile is superior to ATG. Moreover, a similar occurrence of infections is noted in selected studies (65.5% after basiliximab vs 65.7% of controls), including cytomegalovirus infection (17.3% vs 14.5%), and cytokine-release syndrome is not observed. Finally, economic analysis demonstrated lower costs of overall treatment in patients treated with basiliximab. Therefore, the use of basiliximab entails a very low risk, allows safe reduction of corticosteroid dosage and reduces the short- and mid-term rejection rates. However, the improvement in the long-term survival of kidney grafts in patients treated according to modern immunosuppressive protocols is still to be demonstrated. These conclusions are based on a systematic review of the scientific literature, indexed on Medline database, concerning the mechanism of action, therapeutic activity, safety and pharmacoeconomic evaluation of basiliximab in renal transplantation.  N. Ref:: 62

 

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[29]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Role of leucine in the regulation of mTOR by amino acids: revelations from structure-activity studies.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - J Nutr. Acceso gratuito al texto completo a partir de 1 año de la fecha de publicación.

      ●● Enlace a la Editora de la Revista http://www.nutrition.org/ 

      ●● Cita: Journal of Nutrition: <> 2001 Mar;131(3):861S-865S.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Lynch CJ

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, USA. clynch@psu.edu

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - In this study an overview is presented of the mTOR signaling pathway and its regulation by amino acids, particularly L-leucine. Our laboratory is studying amino acid regulation of mTOR in adipocytes. Potential roles for mTOR in adipocytes that were previously posited include hypertrophic growth, leptin secretion, protein synthesis and adipose tissue morphogenesis. A current area of interest in the field is how amino acids regulate mTOR and which amino acids are regulatory. Revelations concerning mechanism and recognition are emerging from different laboratories that examined the structural requirements for stimulation and inhibition of the mTOR signaling pathway by leucine and amino acid analogs. In adipocytes and some other cell types, leucine appears to be the main regulatory amino acid. However, this is not uniformly the case. In those cells where mTOR is regulated by several amino acids, there is evidence that the mechanism of mTOR activation may be different from cells where mainly leucine is regulatory. Furthermore, in tissues where leucine regulates mTOR, the possible existence of different tissue-specific leucine recognition sites may be indicated.  N. Ref:: 47

 

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[30]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Tissue factor and coronary artery disease.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Cardiovasc Res 2002 Feb 1;53(2):313-25.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Moons AH; Levi M; Peters RJ

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Cardiology, Academic Medical Center, Room F3-236, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Plaque disruption with superimposed thrombosis is the main cause of acute coronary events such as acute myocardial infarction and unstable angina. Among other factors, tissue factor seems to play an important role determining plaque thrombogenicity. Tissue factor is a potent initiator of the coagulation cascade situated within the vessel wall and is highly exposed to the blood after plaque rupture. Several mediators involved in the process of atherosclerotic plaque formation are capable of inducing tissue factor expression in cells such as monocytes, macrophages and endothelial cells, which under normal conditions do not express tissue factor or to a limited extent only. The increased expression of tissue factor is not limited to the plaque but is also found in circulating monocytes in patients with acute coronary syndromes. In addition, studies have shown an important contribution of tissue factor in the pathogenesis of thrombosis and restenosis after balloon angioplasty. Recent basic studies focus on the therapeutic inhibition of tissue factor. Specific and non-specific inhibitors of tissue factor or the tissue factor/factor VIIa complex have been developed or identified, and have been tested in experimental studies. Clinical studies are currently being initiated. In this review, we present the current knowledge on the role of tissue factor in atherosclerosis, arterial intervention and potential pharmacological approaches, with focus on acute coronary syndromes.  N. Ref:: 162

 

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[31]

- Castellano -

TÍTULO / TITLE:Las inmunofilinas: agentes neuroprotectores y promotores de la regeneracion neural. Immunophilins: neuroprotective agents and promoters of neural regeneration.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Neurologia. Acceso gratuito al texto completo.

      ●● Enlace a la Editora de la Revista http://www.stmeditores.com/Revistas/ffasciculo.php?Mw==&MTk=&MjUy 

      ●● Cita: Neurologia: <> 2002 Apr;17(4):200-13.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Udina E; Navarro X

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Grupo de Neuroplasticidad y Regeneracion, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Fisiologia e Inmunologia, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, España.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Immunophilins are a family of proteins mainly known because they act as receptors of the immunosuppressant drugs cyclosporin A (CsA) and FK506. Immunophilins serve several general functions, including regulation of mitochondrial permeability, modulation of ion channels stability and acting as chaperones for a variety of proteins. However, immunophilins are also present at high density in the nervous system. CsA, FK506 and other derivatives inhibit the function of immunophilins and, through bloking or activating several intracellular pathways, it has been shown that they exert neuroprotective effects in different experimental models of ischemia, Parkinson’s disease and excitotoxic insults. Moreover, FK506 also has neuroregenerative effects, by enhancing the axonal regeneration rate after lesions of the peripheral nervous system. The development of new agents that selectively bind to immunophilins opens new interesting perspectives for the therapy of degenerative diseases and injuries of the nervous system.  N. Ref:: 100

 

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[32]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Inflammatory myopathies: clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Muscle Nerve 2003 Apr;27(4):407-25.

      ●● Enlace al texto completo (gratuito o de pago) 1002/mus.10313

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Mastaglia FL; Garlepp MJ; Phillips BA; Zilko PJ

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, University of Western Australia, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Nedlands, Australia. flmast@cyllene.uwa.edu.au

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - The three major forms of immune-mediated inflammatory myopathy are dermatomyositis (DM), polymyositis (PM), and inclusion-body myositis (IBM). They each have distinctive clinical and histopathologic features that allow the clinician to reach a specific diagnosis in most cases. Magnetic resonance imaging is sometimes helpful, particularly if the diagnosis of IBM is suspected but has not been formally evaluated. Myositis-specific antibodies are not helpful diagnostically but may be of prognostic value; most antibodies have low sensitivity. Muscle biopsy is mandatory to confirm the diagnosis of an inflammatory myopathy and to allow unusual varieties such as eosinophilic, granulomatous, and parasitic myositis, and macrophagic myofasciitis, to be recognized. The treatment of the inflammatory myopathies remains largely empirical and relies upon the use of corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents, and intravenous immunoglobulin, all of which have nonselective effects on the immune system. Further controlled clinical trials are required to evaluate the relative efficacy of the available therapeutic modalities particularly in combinations, and of newer immunosuppressive agents (mycophenolate mofetil and tacrolimus) and cytokine-based therapies for the treatment of resistant cases of DM, PM, and IBM. Improved understanding of the molecular mechanisms of muscle injury in the inflammatory myopathies should lead to the development of more specific forms of immunotherapy for these conditions.  N. Ref:: 256

 

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[33]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Mitochondrial permeability transition in acute neurodegeneration.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Biochimie 2002 Feb-Mar;84(2-3):241-50.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Friberg H; Wieloch T

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Laboratory for Experimental Brain Research, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, BMC A13, 221 84 Lund, Sweden.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Acute neurodegeneration in man is encountered during and following stroke, transient cardiac arrest, brain trauma, insulin-induced hypoglycemia and status epilepticus. All these severe clinical conditions are characterized by neuronal calcium overload, aberrant cell signaling, generation of free radicals and elevation of cellular free fatty acids, conditions that favor activation of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mtPTP). Cyclosporin A (CsA) and its analog N-methyl-valine-4-cyclosporin A (MeValCsA) are potent blockers of the mtPTP and protect against neuronal death following excitotoxicity and oxygen glucose deprivation. Also, CsA and MeValCsA diminish cell death following cerebral ischemia, trauma, and hypoglycemia. Here we present data that strongly imply the mtPT in acute neurodegeneration in vivo. Compounds that readily pass the blood-brain-barrier (BBB) and block the mtPT may be neuroprotective in stroke.  N. Ref:: 100

 

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[34]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Calcineurin-free protocols with basiliximab induction allow patients included in “old to old” programs achieve standard kidney transplant function.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplant Proc 2003 Jun;35(4):1326-7.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Emparan C; Laukotter M; Wolters H; Dame C; Heidenreich S; Senninger N

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, Uniklinikum Munster, Munster, Germany. cemparan@teleline.es

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - INTRODUCTION: The EuroTransplant “old to old” program establishes that patients older than 60 years can receive offers of organs from donors older than 60 years. The compromised function of these organs makes it a priority to preserve their initial kidney function. HYPOTHESIS: Calcineurin-sparing protocols using anti-IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) antibody induction (Simulect) may benefit initial kidney function in these patients, as assessed by the rates of delayed graft function and of rejection during the first month after transplant. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cohort of 15 consecutive elderly patients were prospectively compared with 30 cadaveric kidney transplants in younger recipients. Study patients were induced with Simulect (20 mg, 30 minutes before reperfusion and 4 days after transplantation) and steroids, delaying the introduction of CsA until the serum creatinine was below 3 mg/dL. The other cohort of patients were immunosuppressed with tacrolimus (trough 8 to 12), mycophenolats mofetil (MMF, 1 g/d), and an identical taper of steroids. The analysis compared donor and recipient ages, mean cold ischemic time, incidence of initial kidney function (diuresis in the first 24 h) serum creatinine levels, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), number of dialysis sessions, and rejection rate in the two groups. RESULTS: Except for the donor and recipient ages (72 vs 54 in donors, and 67 versus 52 years in recipients), no significant differences were observed between the groups among the rates of acute rejection (6.6% vs 13.2%), delayed graft function (13.2% required dialysis), or infection (6.6%). Within 1 month all 45 grafts showed primary function with equal creatinine levels (mean 1.65). CONCLUSIONS: Calcineurin-free protocols using IL-2 therapy as the initial suppression allow patients in the “old to old” ET program to display equal results to cadaveric kidney transplants with initial treatment with calcineurin antagonists.

 

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[35]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Measle virus-infected dendritic cells develop immunosuppressive and cytotoxic activities.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Immunobiology 2001 Dec;204(5):629-38.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Vidalain PO; Azocar O; Rabourdin-Combe C; Servet-Delprat C

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Immunobiologie Fondamentale et Clinique, CERVI-INSERM, Lyon, France. servet@cervi-lyon.inserm.fr

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Measle virus (MV) infection induces a transient but profound immunosuppression characterized by a panlymphopenia which occasionally results in opportunistic infections responsible for a high rate of mortality in malnourished children. MV can encounter human dendritic cells (DC) in the respiratory mucosa or in the secondary lymphoid organs. After a brief presentation of DCs, we review progress in understanding the immunobiology of MV-infected DCs that could account for MV-induced immunosuppression. In addition, we develop the newly described TRAIL-mediated cytotoxic function of DCs that is turned on by MV infection, but also by interferons or double-stranded RNA (poly (I:C)). Finally, we propose a model where the measles-associated lymphopenia could be mediated by TRAIL and the measles-induced immunosuppression could be transiently prolonged by Fas-mediated destruction of DCs.  N. Ref:: 38

 

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[36]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Antiproliferative prostaglandins and the MRP/GS-X pump role in cancer immunosuppression and insight into new strategies in cancer gene therapy.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Biochem Pharmacol 2001 Oct 1;62(7):811-9.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Homem de Bittencourt PI Jr; Curi R

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite 500, 90050-170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. pauloivo@vortex.ufrgs.br

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - A dramatic complication in late-stage cancer patients is host immunosuppression. Cyclopentenone prostaglandins (CP-PGs) overproduced in cancer may impair the function of the immune system. These agents, if produced at high concentrations, are powerful cytostatic and cytotoxic compounds that may arrest cell proliferation and immune response in cancer. Lymphoid tissues of tumor-bearing animals accumulate large amounts of CP-PGs, whereas the tumor tissue does not. This may be because cancer cells are able to overexpress multidrug resistance-associated protein (Mg(2+)-dependent vanadate-sensitive GS-conjugate export ATPase, MRP/GS-X pump), which extrudes CP-PGs to the extracellular space as glutathione S-conjugates. In contrast, MRP/GS-X pump activity is disproportionately low in lymphocytes. This led us to propose the transfection of lymphocytes with multidrug resistance-associated protein genes (MRP) for further autologous transfusion or direct in vivo delivery to lymphocytes by using adenovirus-retrovirus chimeras in order to restore immune system function in cancer, at least partially. We are currently evaluating MRP-transfected lymphocyte (MTL) therapy, using Walker 256 tumor-bearing rats as a model.  N. Ref:: 49

 

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[37]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Amino acid transport regulates blastocyst implantation.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Biol Reprod. Acceso gratuito al texto completo a partir de los 2 años de la fecha de publicación.

      ●● Enlace a la Editora de la Revista http://www.biolreprod.org/ 

      ●● Cita: Biol Reprod: <> 2003 Oct;69(4):1101-8. Epub 2003 Jun 11.

      ●● Enlace al texto completo (gratuito o de pago) 1095/biolreprod.103.018010

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Martin PM; Sutherland AE; Van Winkle LJ

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Mouse blastocyst outgrowth in vitro and probably implantation in vivo require amino acid signaling via the target of rapamycin (TOR) pathway. This signaling does not simply support protein synthesis and trophoblast differentiation. Rather, it regulates development of trophoblast protrusive activity and may act as a developmental checkpoint for implantation. Moreover, intracellular amino acids per se are insufficient to elicit TOR signaling. Instead, de novo transport of amino acids, and particularly of leucine, stimulate mTOR activity at the blastocyst stage. The activity of the broad-scope and yet leucine-selective amino acid transport system B0,+ could produce such increases in intracellular amino acid concentrations. For example, system B0,+ uses a Na+ gradient to drive amino acid uptake, and the Na+ concentration in uterine secretions increases by nearly two-fold about 18 h before implantation. The resultant mTOR signaling could trigger polyamine, insulin-like growth factor II, and nitric oxide production in blastocysts and the increased cell motility sometimes associated with synthesis of these bioactive molecules.  N. Ref:: 106

 

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[38]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Introduction and overview: recent advances in the immunotherapy of inflammatory bowel disease.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - J Gastroenterol 2003 Mar;38 Suppl 15:36-42.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Hibi T; Inoue N; Ogata H; Naganuma M

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Center for the Research of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) comprise a series of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) resulting from chronic upregulation of the mucosal immune system. Although the pathogenesis of IBD remains elusive, it appears that there is chronic activation of the immune and inflammatory cascade in genetically susceptible individuals. Current disease management guidelines have therefore focused on the use of antiinflammatory agents, aminosalicylates and corticosteroids. However, some patients are still refractory to these therapies. Recent advances in the understanding of the pathophysiological conditions of IBD have provided new immune system modulators as therapeutic tools. Cytapheresis has demonstrated effectiveness against UC and has practical use in Japan. Immunosuppressive agents including cyclosporin A and tacrolimus (FK506) have expanded the choice of medical therapies available for certain subgroups of patients. Furthermore, biological therapies have begun to assume a prominent role. Studies with chimeric monoclonal anti-TNF-alpha antibody treatment of CD have been reported with dramatic success. Another antiinflammatory cytokine therapy includes anti-IL-6 receptor, anti-IL-12, or toxin-conjugated anti-IL-7 receptor. Given the diversity of proinflammatory products under its control, NF-kappa B may be viewed as a master switch in lymphocytes and macrophages, regulating inflammation and immunity. In the murine 2,4,6-trinitrobenzen sulfonic acid (TNBS) colitis model, an antisense oligonucleotide to NF-kappa B p65 ameliorated inflammation even after induction of colitis. Recently, a clinical pilot trial of this agent demonstrated promising results. Accumulating evidence suggests that luminal bacterial flora is a requisite and central factor in the development of IBD. Probiotic therapies such as a nonpathogenic Escherichia coli strain have been well tolerated, but larger clinical trials are needed. In addition, novel therapeutic strategies targeting adhesion molecules and costimulatory molecules, or enhancing tissue repair, are under investigation. Although some still need more confirmatory studies, these immune therapies will provide new insights into cell-based and gene-based treatment against IBD in the near future.  N. Ref:: 36

 

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[39]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Graft vascular function after transplantation of pancreatic islets.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Diabetologia 2002 Jun;45(6):749-63. Epub 2002 May 15.

      ●● Enlace al texto completo (gratuito o de pago) 1007/s00125-002-0827-4

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Jansson L; Carlsson PO

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Medical Cell Biology, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, Box 571, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden. Leif.Jansson@medcellbiol.uu.se

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Endogenous pancreatic islets have a dense glomerular-like angioarchitecture, which ensures an optimal delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the islet cells, provides signals from other cells in the body and disposes secreted hormones. Transplantation of isolated islets means that their vascular connection is interrupted. The islet grafts therefore depend upon endothelial cells and microvessels originating in the implantation organ for derivation of a new vascular system. A re-establishment of islet blood-flow occurs within 7-14 days after transplantation, mainly through vascular sprouting. The newly formed blood vessels acquire the morphological characteristics of those in endogenous islets. In intraportally transplanted islets to the liver, the islets become revascularized almost exclusively from tributaries to the hepatic artery. Exocrine contamination of the transplanted islets could hamper the revascularization process, whereas neither cryopreservation nor immunosuppressive drugs like cyclosporin, prednisolon and RS-61443 have any essential effects on the angiogenesis. Investigators have noticed improvements in islet graft survival and function by means of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), acidic FGF and endothelial cell growth factor exposure of the grafts. The functional properties of transplanted islets are largely unknown, but evidence from experimental islet transplantation suggests that both the blood perfusion and the tissue oxygen tension of the grafted islets are chronically decreased, indicating an insufficient vascular system. In order to achieve optimal condition for survival and function of transplanted beta cells, it is important to ascertain whether impairments in vascular function are present also after clinical islet transplantations as well.  N. Ref:: 181

 

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[40]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - TOR inhibitors and cardiac allograft vasculopathy: is inhibition of intimal thickening an adequate surrogate of benefit?

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - J Heart Lung Transplant 2003 May;22(5):501-4.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Mehra MR; Uber PA

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Cardiomyopathy and Heart Transplantation Center, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, Louisiana 70121, USA. mmehra@ochsner.org  N. Ref:: 30

 

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[41]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Transmitting the signal of excess nitrogen in Saccharomyces cerevisiae from the Tor proteins to the GATA factors: connecting the dots.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - FEMS Microbiol Rev 2002 Aug;26(3):223-38.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Cooper TG

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Molecular Sciences, University of Tennessee, 858 Madison Ave., Memphis, TN 38163, USA. tcooper@utmem.edu

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Major advances have recently occurred in our understanding of GATA factor-mediated, nitrogen catabolite repression (NCR)-sensitive gene expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Under nitrogen-rich conditions, the GATA family transcriptional activators, Gln3 and Gat1, form complexes with Ure2, and are localized to the cytoplasm, which decreases NCR-sensitive expression. Under nitrogen-limiting conditions, Gln3 and Gat1 are dephosphorylated, move from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, in wild-type but not rna1 and srp1 mutants, and increase expression of NCR-sensitive genes. ‘Induction’ of NCR-sensitive gene expression and dephosphorylation of Gln3 (and Ure2 in some laboratories) when cells are treated with rapamycin implicates the Tor1/2 signal transduction pathway in this regulation. Mks1 is posited to be a negative regulator of Ure2, positive regulator of retrograde gene expression and to be itself negatively regulated by Tap42. In addition to Tap42, phosphatases Sit4 and Pph3 are also argued by some to participate in the regulatory pathway. Although a treasure trove of information has recently become available, much remains unknown (and sometimes controversial) with respect to the precise biochemical functions and regulatory pathway connections of Tap42, Sit4, Pph3, Mks1 and Ure2, and how precisely Gln3 and Gat1 are prevented from entering the nucleus. The purpose of this review is to provide background information needed by students and investigators outside of the field to follow and evaluate the rapidly evolving literature in this exciting field.  N. Ref:: 61

 

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[42]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - European best practice guidelines for renal transplantation. Section IV: Long-term management of the transplant recipient. IV.3.1 Long-term immunosuppression. Late steroid or cyclosporine withdrawal.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Nephrol Dial Transplant. Acceso gratuito al texto completo a partir de los 2 años de la fecha de publicación.

      ●● Enlace a la Editora de la Revista http://ndt.oupjournals.org/ 

      ●● Cita: Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation: <> 2002;17 Suppl 4:19-20.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - GUIDELINES: A. In order to reduce or avoid long-term serious adverse effects of corticosteroids, such as bone fractures, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, osteoporosis and eye complications, steroid withdrawal should be considered. B. Steroid withdrawal is safe only in a proportion of graft recipients and is recommended only in low-risk patients. The efficacy of the remaining immunosuppression should be considered. C. After steroid withdrawal, graft function has to be monitored very carefully because of the risk of a delayed but continuous loss of function due to chronic graft dysfunction. In the case of functional deterioration or dysfunction, steroids should be re-administered. D. Cyclosporine withdrawal might be considered in order to ameliorate nephrotoxicity, arterial hypertension, lipid disorders and hypertrichosis. This can be carried out with no significant long-term risk of progressive graft loss. The efficacy of the remaining immunosuppression should be considered. After cyclosporine withdrawal, careful monitoring for acute rejection is recommended.

 

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[43]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Fluorescence polarization detection for affinity capillary electrophoresis.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Electrophoresis 2002 Mar;23(6):903-8.

      ●● Enlace al texto completo (gratuito o de pago) 1002/1522-2683(200203)23:6<903::AID-ELPS903>3.0.CO;2-2 [pii]

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Le XC; Wan QH; Lam MT

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Environmental Health Sciences Program, Department of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G3, Canada. xc.le@ualberta.ca

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Affinity capillary electrophoresis (ACE) with laser-induced fluorescence polarization (LIFP) detection is described, with examples of affinity interaction studies. Because fluorescence polarization is sensitive to changes in the rotational motion arising from molecular association or dissociation, ACE-LIFP is capable of providing information on the formation of affinity complexes prior to or during CE separation. Unbound, small fluorescent probes generally have little fluorescence polarization because of rapid rotation of the molecule in solution. When the small fluorescent probe is bound to a larger affinity agent, such as an antibody, the fluorescence polarization (and anisotropy) increases due to slower motion of the much larger complex molecule in the solution. Fluorescence polarization results are obtained by simultaneously measuring fluorescence intensities of vertical and horizontal polarization planes. Applications of CE-LIFP to both strong and weak binding systems are discussed with antibody-antigen and DNA-protein binding as examples. For strong affinity binding, such as between cyclosporine and its antibody, complexes are formed prior to CE-LIFP analysis. For weaker binding, such as between single-stranded DNA and its binding protein, the single-stranded DNA binding protein is added to the CE separation buffer to enhance dynamic formation of affinity complexes. Both fluorescence polarization (and anisotropy) and mobility shift results are complementary and are useful for immunoassays and binding studies.  N. Ref:: 25

 

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[44]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Neonatal toxic shock syndrome-like exanthematous disease (NTED).

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Pediatr Int 2003 Apr;45(2):233-7.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Takahashi N

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Pediatrics, Jichi Medical School, Tochigi-ken, Tokyo Women’s Medical University, Tokyo, Japan. naoto-t@jichi.ac.jp

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - The author and colleagues recently discovered an emerging neonatal infectious disease: neonatal toxic shock syndrome-like exanthematous disease (NTED), which is induced by the superantigen toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1), produced by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The massively expanded Vbeta2+ T cells were rapidly deleted in the peripheral blood of patients with NTED. A marked depletion of Vbeta2+ T cells was also observed in the peripheral blood before the expansion of these T cells. Anergy is specifically induced in the TSST-1 reactive T cells of patients with NTED. Rapid recovery from NTED without complications is expected to be related to the induction of immunologic tolerance in neonatal patients. Anti-TSST-1 IgG antibody of maternal origin was found to play a protective role in preventing the development of NTED. The number of hospitals that have experience caring for patients with NTED has increased threefold in the past 5 years. Most MRSA isolates from neonatal intensive care units in Japan were found to be a single clone of coagulase type II and to possess TSST-1 and staphylococcal enterotoxin C genes. The timing and increased incidence of NTED suggest the emergence of a new MRSA clone. By recognizing that TSST-1 can induce NTED, healthcare providers may give increased attention to this disease in neonatal wards.  N. Ref:: 43

 

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[45]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Basiliximab: a review of its use as induction therapy in renal transplantation.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Drugs 2003;63(24):2803-35.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Chapman TM; Keating GM

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Adis International Limited, Auckland, New Zealand. demail@adis.co.nz

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Basiliximab (Simulect), a chimeric (human/murine) monoclonal antibody, is indicated for the prevention of acute organ rejection in adult and paediatric renal transplant recipients in combination with other immunosuppressive agents.Basiliximab significantly reduced acute rejection compared with placebo in renal transplant recipients receiving dual- (cyclosporin microemulsion and corticosteroids) or triple-immunotherapy (azathioprine- or mycophenolate mofetil-based); graft and patient survival rates at 12 months were similar. Significantly more basiliximab than placebo recipients were free from the combined endpoint of death, graft loss or acute rejection 3 years, but not 5 years, after transplantation.The incidence of adverse events was similar in basiliximab and placebo recipients, with no increase in the incidence of infection, including cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Malignancies or post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders after treatment with basiliximab were rare, with a similar incidence to that seen with placebo at 12 months or 5 years post-transplantation. Rare cases of hypersensitivity reactions to basiliximab have been reported.The efficacy of basiliximab was similar to that of equine antithymocyte globulin (ATG) and daclizumab, and similar to or greater than that of muromonab CD3. Basiliximab was as effective as rabbit antithymocyte globulin (RATG) in patients at relatively low risk of acute rejection, but less effective in high-risk patients. Numerically or significantly fewer patients receiving basiliximab experienced adverse events considered to be related to the study drug than ATG or RATG recipients. The incidence of infection, including CMV infection, was similar with basiliximab and ATG or RATG.Basiliximab plus baseline immunosuppression resulted in no significant differences in acute rejection rates compared with baseline immunosuppression with or without ATG or antilymphocyte globulin in retrospective analyses conducted for small numbers of paediatric patients. Limited data from paediatric renal transplant recipients suggest a similar tolerability profile to that in adults. Basiliximab appears to allow the withdrawal of corticosteroids or the use of corticosteroid-free or calcineurin inhibitor-sparing regimens in renal transplant recipients.Basiliximab did not increase the overall costs of therapy in pharmacoeconomic studies.CONCLUSION: Basiliximab reduces acute rejection without increasing the incidence of adverse events, including infection and malignancy, in renal transplant recipients when combined with standard dual- or triple-immunotherapy. The overall incidence of death, graft loss or acute rejection was significantly reduced at 3 years; there was no significant difference for this endpoint 5 years after transplantation. Malignancy was not increased at 5 years. The overall efficacy, tolerability, ease of administration and cost effectiveness of basiliximab make it an attractive option for the prophylaxis of acute renal transplant rejection.  N. Ref:: 85

 

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[46]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - TOR action in mammalian cells and in Caenorhabditis elegans.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2004;279:115-38.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Long X; Muller F; Avruch J

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Diabetes Research Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Land Medicine Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - The p70 S6 kinase (p70 S6K) was the first signaling element in mammalian cells shown to be inhibited by rapamycin. The activity of the p70 S6K in mammalian cell is upregulated by extracellular amino acids (especially leucine) and by signals from receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), primarily through activation of the type 1A PI-3 kinase. The amino acid-/rapamycin-sensitive input and the PI-3 kinase input are co-dominant but largely independent, in that deletion of the amino-terminal and carboxy-terminal noncatalytic sequences flanking the p70 S6K catalytic domain renders the kinase insensitive to inhibition by both rapamycin and by withdrawal of amino acids, whereas this p70 S6K mutant remains responsive to activation by RTKs and to inhibition by wortmannin. At a molecular level, this dual control of p70 S6K activity is attributable to phosphorylation of the two p70 S6K sites: The Ptd Ins 3,4,5P3-dependent kinasel (PDK1) phosphorylates p70 S6K at a Thr on the activation loop, whereas mTOR phosphorylates a Thr located in a hydrophobic motif carboxyterminal to the catalytic domain. Together these two phosphorylations engender a strong, positively cooperative activation of p70 S6K, so that each is indispensable for physiologic regulation. Like RTKs, the p70 S6K appears early in metazoan evolution and comes to represent an important site at which the more ancient, nutrient-responsive TOR pathway converges with the RTK/PI-3 kinase pathway in the control of cell growth. Dual regulation of p70 S6K is seen in Drosophila; however, this convergence is not yet evident in Caenorhabditis elegans, wherein nutrient activation of the insulin receptor (InsR) pathway negatively regulates dauer development and longevity, whereas the TOR pathway regulates overall mRNA translation through effectors distinct from p70 S6K, as in yeast. The C. elegans TOR and InsR pathways show none of the cross- or convergent regulation seen in mammalian cells. The nature of the elements that couple nutrient sufficiency to TOR activity remain to be discovered, and the mechanisms by which RTKs influence TOR activity in mammalian cells require further study. One pathway for RTK control involves the tuberous sclerosis complex, which is absent in C. elegans, but of major importance in Drosophila and higher metazoans.  N. Ref:: 98

 

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[47]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Primary intestinal posttransplant T-cell lymphoma.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplantation 2003 Jun 27;75(12):2131-2.

      ●● Enlace al texto completo (gratuito o de pago) 1097/01.TP.0000060253.54333.F3

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Michael J; Greenstein S; Schechner R; Tellis V; Vasovic LV; Ratech H; Glicklich D

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Division of Nephrology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York 10467, USA.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - There have been only five reported cases of primary posttransplant T-cell lymphoma. We report the first case associated with the use of sirolimus (Rapamycin, Wyeth-Ayerst, Philadelphia, PA). The patient, receiving prednisone, cyclosporine, and sirolimus treatment, developed ascites, diarrhea, and weight loss 7 months after his second renal transplant. Tissue obtained at laparotomy established the diagnosis of primary T-cell lymphoma. Latent membrane protein-1 for Epstein-Barr virus was negative, but in-site hybridization test for Epstein-Barr-encoded RNA was positive. Despite aggressive chemotherapy, the patient died 8 months posttransplant. This is the sixth reported case of primary intestinal posttransplant T-cell lymphoma, but it is the first case associated with the use of sirolimus. The incidence of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease in patients receiving sirolimus should be studied.  N. Ref:: 6

 

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[48]

- Castellano -

TÍTULO / TITLE:Alteraciones del metabolismo oseo tras el trasplante renal. Bone metabolism alterations after kidney transplantation.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Nefrologia. Acceso gratuito al texto completo.

      ●● Enlace a la Editora de la Revista http://www.aulamedica.es/nefrologia/ 

      ●● Cita: Nefrologia: <> 2003;23 Suppl 2:122-6.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Torres A; Garcia S; Barrios Y; Hernandez D; Lorenzo V

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Servicio de Nefrologia, Unidad de Investigacion, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Instituto Reina Sofia de Investigacion. atorres@ull.es

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Early after renal transplantation (RT) a rapid decrease in bone mineral density at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and femoral shaft has been documented. In addition, an appreciable proportion of patients still remain losing bone late after RT. As a consequence, RT patients are at a high risk of bone fractures as compared to general population. Most fractures involve appendicular skeleton, particularly the feet and ankles, and the diabetic patient is at increased risk of fractures. Thus, early institution of preventive measures and treatment of established osteoporosis are central. The major cause of post-transplantation bone loss is corticosteroid treatment, and this should be used at the lower dose compatible with graft survival. Preexisting hyperparathyroidism also affects the early cancellous bone loss at the spine, and post-transplantation bone loss reflects variable individual susceptibility, resembling the polygenic determination of bone mineral density in general. Clinical trials have demonstrated that bisphosphonates or vitamin D plus calcium supplementation, prevent post-transplantation bone loss during the first 6-12 months. However, their role in preventing bone fractures has not been proven. Finally, recommendations for management, prevention and treatment, are summarized.  N. Ref:: 24

 

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[49]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Treatment responses of childhood aplastic anaemia with chromosomal aberrations at diagnosis.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Br J Haematol 2002 Jul;118(1):313-9.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Ohga S; Ohara A; Hibi S; Kojima S; Bessho F; Tsuchiya S; Ohshima Y; Yoshida N; Kashii Y; Nishimura S; Kawakami K; Nishikawa K; Tsukimoto I

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Aplastic Anaemia Committee of the Japanese Society of Paediatric Haematology, Tokyo, Japan. ohgas@pediatr.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - The clinical outcome of childhood aplastic anaemia (AA) with aberrant cytogenetic clones at diagnosis was surveyed. Among 198 children with newly diagnosed AA registered with the AA Committee of the Japanese Society of Paediatric Hematology between 1994 and 1998, cytogenetic studies of bone marrow (BM) cells were completed in 159 patients. Apart from one Robertsonian translocation, seven patients (4.4%) showed clonal chromosomal abnormalities in hypoplastic BM without myelodysplastic features. The patients included six girls and one boy with a median age of 11 years (range 5-14 years). Six patients had del(6), del(5), del(13), del(20), or -7, and one showed add(9). Four patients responded to the first immunosuppressive therapy (IST: cyclosporin A plus anti-thymocyte globulin) and one obtained a spontaneous remission. Cytogenetic abnormalities remained in two patients with an IST response. On the other hand, two patients showed no IST response. One did not respond to repeat IST and died of acute graft-versus-host disease after an unrelated-BM transplant. Another obtained a complete response after a successful BM transplant. No haematological findings at diagnosis predicted the treatment response. No significant morphological changes developed during the course of the illness. A literature review revealed that half of 24 AA patients with chromosomal abnormalities responded to the first IST, and that +6 was the sole predictable marker for IST unresponsiveness. These results suggest that IST can be applied as the initial therapy for AA with cytogenetic abnormalities in the absence of completely matched donors.  N. Ref:: 32

 

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[50]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Acute necrotizing gastritis by Escherichia coli in a severely neutropenic patient.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Haematologica. Acceso gratuito al texto completo.

      ●● Enlace a la Editora de la Revista http://db.doyma.es/ 

      ●● Cita: Haematologica: <> 2002 Jan;87(1):ELT01.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Martinez-Chamorro C; Martinez E; Gil-Fernandez JJ; Escudero A; Acevedo A; Fernandez-Ranada JM

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Hematology Department, Clinica Ruber, C/Juan Bravo, 49 28006-Madrid, España. m-chamorro@navegalia.com  N. Ref:: 6

 

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[51]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Treatment of membranous nephropathy.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Nephrol Dial Transplant. Acceso gratuito al texto completo a partir de los 2 años de la fecha de publicación.

      ●● Enlace a la Editora de la Revista http://ndt.oupjournals.org/ 

      ●● Cita: Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation: <> 2001;16 Suppl 5:8-10.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Ponticelli C; Passerini P

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Division of Nephrology, Ospedale Maggiore di Milano, Italy.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Several therapeutic approaches have been tried in patients with membranous nephropathy. Corticosteroids have been largely used, but a meta-analysis of the available controlled trials did not show any benefit of corticosteroids either in favouring remission of the nephrotic syndrome or in preventing renal dysfunction. Controversial results have been obtained with cytotoxic agents. Unfortunately, most of the available trials were small in size and had short-term follow-ups. Three controlled trials evaluated the role of a 6-month treatment with methylprednisolone and chlorambucil. The first trial showed that the 10-year renal survival rate was 92% in treated patients compared with 60% in untreated controls. A second trial compared the effects of methylprednisolone/chlorambucil with those of methylprednisolone alone. The combined treatment achieved remission of nephrotic syndrome in 64% of cases vs 38% in patients given steroids alone. A third trial showed equivalent results in patients randomized to be given methylprednisolone/chlorambucil or methylprednisolone/cyclophosphamide. A number of non-controlled studies and a randomized trial also showed the efficacy of cyclosporine in reducing proteinuria. In many but not all cases, proteinuria reappeared when cyclosporine was stopped. In conclusion, although the treatment of membranous nephropathy remains difficult, some therapeutical approaches have proved to favour remission and protect renal function  N. Ref:: 53

 

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[52]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Treatment of severe acute graft-versus-host disease with anti-thymocyte globulin.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Clin Transplant 2001 Jun;15(3):147-53.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Remberger M; Aschan J; Barkholt L; Tollemar J; Ringden O

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Clinical Immunology and Centre for Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. mats.remberger@impi.ki.se

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Severe acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is one of the major complications after haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). Treatment of severe GVHD is difficult and the condition is often fatal. One proposed method of improving the therapy is to include anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG). Here, we will report our results in 29 patients using ATG as part of treatment for severe steroid-resistant acute GVHD. Four patients suffered from grade II, 13 from grade III and 12 from grade IV GVHD. Median time to grade II GVHD was 24 d (range 7-91 d) and to grade III was 29 d (range 8-55 d) after HSCT. Five different ATG preparations were used, rabbit ATG (R-ATG), BMA 031, OKT3, ATG-Fresenius and Thymoglobuline. All patients had skin involvement, 26 also had gut involvement and 25 had liver involvement. The rate of response to treatment was best in skin involvement (72%), while liver and gut involvement showed lower response rates (38%). Eleven patients survived more than 90 d, 7 of them developed chronic GVHD, 1 developed mild GVHD, 1 developed moderate GVHD and 5 developed severe GVHD. Survival at 100 d was 37% and at 1 yr it was 12%. Most patients died of GVHD, with virus or fungal infections as contributing causes of death. To conclude, treatment of severe acute GVHD is difficult and ATG, in our hands, adds nothing to conventional pharmacological treatment.  N. Ref:: 48

 

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[53]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Mitochondrial involvement in the point of no return in neuronal apoptosis.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Biochimie 2002 Feb-Mar;84(2-3):223-31.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Chang LK; Putcha GV; Deshmukh M; Johnson EM Jr

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Campus Box 8103, St. Louis, MO 63110-1031, USA.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Programmed cell death (PCD) contributes to development, maintenance, and pathology in various tissues, including the nervous system. Many molecular, biochemical, and genetic events occur within cells undergoing PCD. Some of these events are incompatible with long-term cell survival because they have irreversible, catastrophic consequences. The onset of such changes marks the point of no return, a decisive regulatory event termed ‘the commitment-to-die.’ In this review, we discuss events that underlie the commitment-to-die in nerve growth factor-deprivation-induced death of sympathetic neurons. Findings in this model system implicate the mitochondrion as an important site of regulation for the commitment-to-die in the presence or absence of caspase inhibition.  N. Ref:: 57

 

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[54]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - First human double hand transplantation: efficacy of a conventional immunosuppressive protocol.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Clin Transplant 2003 Oct;17(5):455-60.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Petruzzo P; Revillard JP; Kanitakis J; Lanzetta M; Hakim NS; Lefrancois N; Owen E; Dubernard JM

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Service de Chirurgie de Transplantation, Hopital Edouard Herriot, Lyon, France.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Based on the results achieved in single human hand transplantations, we decided to perform the first double hand transplantation with a conventional immunosuppressive protocol in a patient with a high potential for functional recovery. Two years after transplantation the efficacy and the safety of this immunosuppressive protocol are evaluated. The recipient was a 33-yr-old man suffering from a traumatic amputation of both hands in 1996. Five HLA-A, -B, and -DR mismatches were present with the donor; T and B cell cross-match was negative. Immunosuppressive protocol included tacrolimus, prednisone, mycophenolate mofetil and, for induction, antithymocyte globulins and then anti CD25 monoclonal antibody. Reconstitution of lymphocyte populations proceeded normally. Neither anti-HLA antibodies nor chimerism in peripheral blood were detected. Two episodes of acute rejection characterized by maculopapular lesions occurred on days 53 and 82 after transplantation. Skin biopsies revealed a dermal lymphocytic infiltrate. Both episodes were completely and rapidly reversed by topical clobetasol and increased systemic corticosteroid therapy. The only side-effects related to treatment were reversible serum sickness and hyperglycemia. No infectious complications and malignancies occurred. No signs of graft-versus-host disease have been detected. This case of double hand transplantation shows that conventional immunosuppression is effective and safe to ensure survival and functional recovery of the grafted limb.

 

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[55]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - T-cell receptor-derived peptides in immunoregulation and therapy of retrovirally induced immunosuppression.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Crit Rev Immunol 2001;21(1-3):57-74.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Marchalonis JJ; Robey IF; Edmundson AB; Sepulveda RT; Watson RR

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson 85724, USA. dianah@u.arizona.edu

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Retrovirally infected humans and mice showed progressive acquired immunodeficiency accompanied by the production of elevated levels of autoantibodies directed against T-cell receptor variable-domain epitopes. Epitope mapping analyses indicated that a major determinant recognized was defined by a 16-mer peptide containing the entire CDR1 segment and part of the FR2 region of human Vbeta8, and that both species showed reactivity to the same sequence. Either prophylactic or therapeutic administration of this peptide to retrovirus-infected C57/BL/6 mice normalized the balance of T(H)1- and T(H)2-type helper activity and restored the resistance to infection by the opportunistic parasite Cryptosporidium. Administration of the peptide did not generate significantly increased levels of autoantibody, but had a profound effect on T-cell activity as well as other aspects of inflammation, including NK-cell activity. A 16-mer derived from the Jbeta sequence showed similar functional effects on T cells from retrovirus-infected mice. Direct binding of the VbetaCDR1 peptide to recombinant TCR Valpha/Vbeta constructs, as well as to IgM natural autoantibodies, suggests that the cell surface receptor for the peptide is the alpha/beta TCR on T cells and surface IgM in B cells. The Vbeta CDR1 peptide stimulated division of murine splenocytes in vitro, stimulated the production of the T(H)1 cytokine IL-2, and synergized with the T-cell mitogen concanavalin A in proliferation and IL-2 production. These studies indicate that administration of peptides derived from T-cell receptor variable domains to animals immunosuppressed as a result of retroviral infection has a profound immunomodulatory effect enhancing overall T-cell functional capacity, particularly with respect to the cytokine production characteristic of T(H)1-type cells. Our studies are interpreted in the context of other recent investigations of immunomodulatory peptides.  N. Ref:: 69

 

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[56]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Current and future applications of immunological attenuation via pegylation of cells and tissue.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - BioDrugs 2001;15(12):833-47.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Chen AM; Scott MD

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Center for Immunology and Microbial Disease, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, USA.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Prevention of immunological rejection of transplanted tissues is of crucial importance in transplantation medicine. Current procedures primarily use pharmacological agents such as cyclosporin, which, while effective, must be typically administered for the life of the individual. Furthermore, the drug-induced global immunosuppression of the patient predisposes the individual to infection and enhances their risk of developing certain forms of cancer. Hence, additional methods are needed to both enhance tissue engraftment and diminish the adverse effects of current immunosuppressive therapy. Studies from blood transfusion (i.e. a specialised form of cellular transplantation) suggest that covalent modification of cells and tissues with methoxypoly(ethylene glycol) [mPEG] can significantly diminish rejection episodes and may further enhance the induction of tolerance to donor tissues. The mechanisms underlying mPEG-mediated immunocamouflage are the loss of antigen recognition, impaired cell-cell interaction, and an inability of endogenous antibodies (e.g. immunoglobulin G) to effectively recognise and bind foreign epitopes. As a consequence of the global camouflage imparted by mPEG, the weak co-stimulation of alloreactive T cells may subsequently induce apoptosis, thus leading to tolerance. Initial studies on the transplantation of pegylated isogeneic rat pancreatic islets demonstrates that mPEG-derivatisation does not impair in vivo cellular signalling and function. Thus, in contrast to the pharmacological inhibition of the recipient’s immune response, the mPEG-mediated immunocamouflage directly addresses the inherent antigenicity and immunogenicity of the donor tissue itself while leaving the recipient a fully competent immune system.  N. Ref:: 43

 

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[57]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - P-glycoprotein in acute myeloid leukaemia: therapeutic implications of its association with both a multidrug-resistant and an apoptosis-resistant phenotype.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Leuk Lymphoma 2002 Jun;43(6):1221-8.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Pallis M; Turzanski J; Higashi Y; Russell N

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Academic Haematology, Nottingham City Hospital, Nottingham, UK. monica.pallis@nottingham.ac.uk

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - P-glycoprotein (Pgp) expression is an independent prognostic factor for response to remission-induction chemotherapy in acute myeloblastic leukaemia, particularly in the elderly. There are several potential agents for modulating Pgp-mediated multi-drug resistance, such as cyclosporin A and PSC833, which are currently being evaluated in clinical trials. An alternative therapeutic strategy is to increase the use of drugs which are unaffected by Pgp. However, in this review, we explain why this may be more difficult than it appears. Evidence from in vitro studies of primary AML blasts supports the commonly held supposition that chemoresistance may be linked to apoptosis-resistance. We have found that Pgp has a drug-independent role in the inhibition of in vitro apoptosis in AML blasts. Modulation of cytokine efflux, signalling lipids and intracellular pH have all been suggested as ways by which Pgp may affect cellular resistance to apoptosis; these are discussed in this review. For a chemosensitising agent to be successful, it may be more important for it to enhance apoptosis than to increase drug uptake.  N. Ref:: 95

 

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[58]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - The potential of antibody-based immunosuppressive agents for corneal transplantation.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Immunol Cell Biol 2003 Apr;81(2):93-105.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Thiel MA; Coster DJ; Williams KA

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Corneal transplantation is a sight-restorative procedure but its success is limited by irreversible graft rejection, which accounts for up to 50 per cent of failures. The normal eye is an immune-privileged site. Multiple mechanisms maintain ocular privilege, including the blood-eye barrier, the lack of blood vessels and lymphatics in the normal cornea, the relative paucity of mature antigen-presenting cells in the central cornea, the presence of immunomodulatory factors in ocular fluids, and the constitutive expressive of CD95L (Fas ligand) within the eye. However, privilege can be eroded by the sequelae of inflammation and neovascularization. Corneal graft rejection in humans is currently suppressed with topical glucocorticosteroids, which are moderately effective. Systemically administered immunosuppressive therapy is of limited efficacy and may be accompanied by unacceptable morbidity. Alternative therapies are needed to improve outcomes. Corneal graft rejection is primarily a cell-mediated response controlled by the CD4+ T cell, and thus CD4 and costimulatory molecule blockade are appealing targets for new therapeutic interventions. A number of monoclonal antibodies have shown promise as immunosuppressants to prolong corneal graft survival in experimental animal models, and may eventually prove to be useful adjuncts to corticosteroids.  N. Ref:: 205

 

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[59]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Effective prophylactic protocol in delayed hypersensitivity to contrast media: report of a case involving lymphocyte transformation studies with different compounds.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Radiology. Acceso gratuito al texto completo a partir de los 2 años de la publicación;  - http://radiology.rsnajnls.org/ 

      ●● Cita: Radiology: <> 2002 Nov;225(2):466-70.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Romano A; Artesani MC; Andriolo M; Viola M; Pettinato R; Vecchioli-Scaldazza A

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Universita’ Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Allergy Unit, Complesso Integrato Columbus, Via G. Moscati 31, 00168 Rome, Italy. columbus.allerg@linet.it

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - A patient with maculopapular reactions to iopamidol needed to undergo angiography for a cerebral arteriovenous malformation. In vivo and in vitro tests were performed with ionic and nonionic contrast media, including iopamidol and iobitridol. All results were positive, demonstrating delayed hypersensitivity. The patient received 6-alpha-methylprednisolone and cyclosporine 1 week before and 2 weeks after four angiograms were obtained with the use of iobitridol, which was well tolerated.

 

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[60]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - A pilot protocol of a calcineurin-inhibitor free regimen for kidney transplant recipients of marginal donor kidneys or with delayed graft function.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Clin Transplant 2003;17 Suppl 9:31-4.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Shaffer D; Langone A; Nylander WA; Goral S; Kizilisik AT; Helderman JH

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA. david.schaffer@vanderbilt.edu

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - The worsening shortage of cadaver donor kidneys has prompted use of expanded or marginal donor kidneys (MDK), i.e. older age or donor history of hypertension or diabetes. MDK may be especially susceptible to calcineurin-inhibitor (CI) mediated vasoconstriction and nephrotoxicity. Similarly, early use of CI in patients with delayed graft function may prolong ischaemic injury. We developed a CI-free protocol of antibody induction, sirolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisone in recipients with MDK or DGF. METHODS: Adult renal transplant recipients who received MDK or had DGF were treated with a CI-free protocol consisting of antibody induction (basiliximab or thymoglobulin), sirolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisone. Serial biopsies were performed for persistent DGF. Patients were followed prospectively with the primary endpoints being patient and graft survival, biopsy-proven acute rejection, and sirolimus-related toxicity. RESULTS: Nineteen recipients were treated. Mean follow-up was 294 days. Actuarial 6- and 12-month patient survival was 100% and 100% and graft survival was 93% and 93%, respectively. The only graft loss was due to primary non-function (PNF). The incidence of AR was 16%. Mean serum creatinine at last follow-up was 1.6 mg/dL. Sirolimus-related toxicity included lymphocele (1), wound infection (2), thrombocytopenia (1). and interstitial pneumonitis (1). CONCLUSION: A CI-free protocol with antibody induction and sirolimus results in low rates of AR and PNF and excellent early patient and graft survival in patients with MDK and DGF. CI-free protocols may allow expansion of the kidney donor pool by encouraging utilization of MDK at high risk for DGF or CI-mediated nephrotoxicity.

 

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[61]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Calcineurin and hypertrophic heart disease: novel insights and remaining questions.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Cardiovasc Res 2002 Mar;53(4):806-21.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Bueno OF; van Rooij E; Molkentin JD; Doevendans PA; De Windt LJ

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati OH, USA.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - In the past 2 years, an emerging body of research has focused on a novel transcriptional pathway involved in the cardiac hypertrophic response. Ever since its introduction, the significance of the calcineurin-NFAT module has been subject of controversy. The aim of this review is to provide both an update on the current status of knowledge and discuss the remaining issues regarding the involvement of calcineurin in hypertrophic heart disease. To this end, the molecular biology of calcineurin and its direct downstream transcriptional effector NFAT are discussed in the context of the genetic studies that established the existence of this signaling paradigm in the heart. The pharmacological mode-of-action and specificity of the calcineurin inhibitors cyclosporine A (CsA) and FK506 is discussed, as well as their inherent limitations to study the biology of calcineurin. A critical interpretation is given on studies aimed at analyzing the role of calcineurin in cardiac hypertrophy using systemic immunosuppression. To eliminate the controversy surrounding CsA/FK506 usage, recent studies employed genetic inhibitory strategies for calcineurin, which confirm the pivotal role for this signal transduction pathway in the ventricular hypertrophy response. Finally, unresolved issues concerning the role of calcineurin in cardiac pathobiology are discussed based upon the information available, including its controversial role in cardiomyocyte viability, the reciprocal relationship between myocyte Ca(2+) homeostasis and calcineurin activity and the relative importance of calcineurin in relation to other hypertrophic signaling cascades.  N. Ref:: 124

 

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[62]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Old and new tools to dissect calcineurin’s role in pressure-overload cardiac hypertrophy.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Cardiovasc Res 2002 Feb 1;53(2):294-303.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Zhang W

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Internal Medicine/Hypertension Division, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390-8586, USA. wzhang@mednet.swmed.edu

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - In the last several years, a number of experiments have implicated a pivotal role of the calcium/calmodulin-calcineurin dependent pathway as a final common signaling mechanism by which diverse hypertrophic stimuli converge to mediate hypertrophic responses in cardiomyocytes. Calcineurin inhibitors, i.e. cyclosporine A (CsA) and FK506, can interrupt the pathway, thereby preventing cardiac hypertrophy. The data that convincingly support this novel hypothesis were derived either from in vitro studies in cultured cardiomyocytes or from in vivo studies in transgenic mice. However, when the hypothesis was tested in clinically relevant animal models of cardiac hypertrophy, controversial results and conclusions emerged. In conventional models of cardiac hypertrophy, two questions remain to be answered: (1) whether calcineurin is activated in hypertrophied cardiac muscle, and (2) whether calcineurin inhibitors prevent cardiac hypertrophy. In addition, clinical observations have revealed that calcineurin inhibitors appear to exert pro-hypertrophic effects in organ transplant recipients. The controversies suggest that current calcineurin inhibitors are blunt tools for testing the hypothesis in pressure-overload hypertrophy in vivo, because there are so many confounding effects that are associated with systemic administration of the drugs. As such, new genetic approaches may overcome some of the problems associated with pharmacological inhibitors. This invited review will focus on the controversies surrounding the ability of calcineurin inhibition to prevent conventional (pressure-overload) cardiac hypertrophy and the new genetic approaches to address the question.  N. Ref:: 93

 

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[63]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Drug-eluting stents: potential applications for peripheral arterial occlusive disease.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - J Vasc Interv Radiol 2003 Mar;14(3):291-301.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Duda SH; Poerner TC; Wiesinger B; Rundback JH; Tepe G; Wiskirchen J; Haase KK

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Tuebingen, Germany. stephan.duda@med.uni-tuebingen.de

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Many different approaches have been evaluated to prevent restenosis in stents after vascular implantation. Currently, drug-eluting stents are extremely promising in suppressing neointimal hyperplasia. Various animal studies and randomized trials in humans have shown excellent results in terms of safety and efficacy during intermediate-term follow-up. This article will give an overview of experimental and clinical data of the different agents in published and ongoing trials.  N. Ref:: 87

 

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[64]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Regulation of glycogen synthesis in human muscle cells.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Biochem Soc Trans. Acceso gratuito al texto completo a partir de 1 año de la fecha de publicación.

      ●● Enlace a la Editora de la Revista http://bst.portlandpress.com/bst//default.htm 

      ●● Cita: Biochemical Society Transactions: <> 2001 Aug;29(Pt 4):537-41.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Yeaman SJ; Armstrong JL; Bonavaud SM; Poinasamy D; Pickersgill L; Halse R

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - School of Biochemistry and Genetics, Medical School, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK. s.j.yeaman@ncl.ac.uk

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Glucose uptake into muscle and its subsequent storage as glycogen is a crucial factor in energy homeostasis in skeletal muscle. This process is stimulated acutely by insulin and is impaired in both insulin-resistant states and in type 2 diabetes mellitus. A signalling pathway involving protein kinase B and glycogen synthase kinase 3 seems certain to have a key role in stimulating glycogen synthesis but other signalling pathways also contribute, including a rapamycin-sensitive pathway stimulated by amino acids. Although glycogen synthesis is one of the classical insulin-regulated pathways, it is also regulated in an insulin-independent manner; for example glycogen synthesis in muscle is stimulated significantly after strenuous exercise, with much of this stimulation being independent of the involvement of insulin. Evidence suggests that glucose and the glycogen content of the muscle have a key role in this stimulation but the molecular mechanism has yet to be fully explained.  N. Ref:: 24

 

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[65]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - The role of T lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of asthma.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - J Allergy Clin Immunol 2003 Mar;111(3):450-63; quiz 464.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Larche M; Robinson DS; Kay AB

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, National Heart and Lung Institute, London, United Kingdom.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - There is considerable evidence to support a role for T cells in asthma, particularly the involvement of T(H)2 cells both in atopic allergic asthma and in nonatopic and occupational asthma. There might also be a minor contribution from T©2 CD8+ T cells. Several T(H)2 cytokines have the potential to modulate airway inflammation, particularly IL-13, which induces airway hyperresponsiveness independently of IgE and eosinophilia in animal models. The identification of transcription factors controlling T(H)1 and T(H)2 development further support the T(H)2 hypothesis because GATA3 is overexpressed and T-bet is underexpressed in the asthmatic airway. Specific T cell directed immunotherapy might allow induction, modulation, or both of T-cell responses, and elucidation of the mechanisms of regulatory T cells might allow further optimization of immunotherapy. Recent advances in our understanding of dendritic cell function in directing T-cell responses might uncover further therapeutic targets. The efficacy of cyclosporin A and anti-CD4 treatment in patients with chronic severe asthma argues for continued T-cell involvement, but whether remodeling contributes to pathology inaccessible to anti-inflammatory treatment or T-cell immunotherapy will be an important future question.  N. Ref:: 145

 

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[66]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Immunophilins in nervous system degeneration and regeneration.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Curr Top Med Chem 2003;3(12):1376-82.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Avramut M; Achim CL

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, S-433 Biomedical Science Tower, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. avramut@pitt.edu

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Immunophilins are receptors for immunosuppressive drugs like cyclosporin A, FK506, rapamycin and their non- immunosuppressive analogs, which are collectively referred to as “immunophilin ligands” (IPL). Cyclosporin A binds to a class of IP called cyclophilins, whereas the receptors for FK506 and rapamycin belong to the family of FK506- binding proteins (FKBP). The latter are designated according to their molecular weight: FKBP12, 25, 52 etc. FKBP levels in the rat brain are up to 50 times higher than in the immune system. FKBP12 is associated with IP3 and ryanodine receptors present on the endoplasmic reticulum and plays a role in stabilizing calcium release. It has also been proposed to be a modulator of the TGFbeta receptor activity. Crush injury of facial or sciatic nerves in rat leads to markedly increased FKBP12 levels in the respective nerve nuclei and this increase is related to nerve regeneration. Cyclophilin A protects cells from death following expression of mutant Cu/ Zn superoxide dismutase, which is associated with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Our recent studies show that FKBP12 and FKBP52 are expressed in the human nervous system, especially in the substantia nigra- deep gray matter axis. In neurodegenerative diseases, FKBP12 levels increase in neurons situated in areas of pathology. This IP colocalizes with synaptophysin and alpha- synuclein, suggesting that it may become a novel marker of pathology. Immunophilins participate in axonal transport, synaptic vesicle assembly and may play a role in neuroprotection against abnormal protein aggregation, suggesting a potential avenue of therapeutic interventions.  N. Ref:: 62

 

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[67]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Rapamycin in combination with cyclosporine or tacrolimus in liver, pancreas, and kidney transplantation.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplant Proc 2003 May;35(3 Suppl):201S-208S.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - MacDonald AS

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Surgery, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Allan.macdonald@dal.ca

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - A 10-year experience with the immunosuppressive drug rapamycin that begins in the laboratory then extends through multicentre trials in combination with cyclosporine in kidney transplant recipients, exploration of its use as a single agent and in combination with tacrolimus, and its potential in nonrenal organs is described. Rapamycin is a potent inhibitor of endothelial injury in rat aortic allografts. When added to full-dose cyclosporine it achieves low rejection rates, but it augments the nephrotoxicity and hyperlipidemia of cyclosporine. On the other hand, it allows discontinuation of calcineurin inhibitors in stable kidney and liver patients suffering from nephrotoxicity late posttransplant. At least in Caucasian patients, discontinuation of cyclosporine is possible as early as 3 months post-kidney transplant. In combination with low-dose tacrolimus, exceptionally low rates of rejection were seen in recipients of kidney, pancreas, and liver recipients with preservation of excellent renal function. These pilot studies have been confirmed in several single-centre and, more recently, multicentre trials in kidney and pancreas transplantation. The side-effect profile of hyperlipidemia, lymphocoeles, delayed wound healing, and possible liver effects are coming into focus, and ways of minimizing these problems being introduced. The lessons learned include the need for early adequate blood levels, the lack of correlation between dose and drug exposure, and the potency that allows marked dose reductions in calcineurin inhibitors and steroids.  N. Ref:: 36

 

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[68]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Treatment of atopic dermatitis and impact on quality of life: a review with emphasis on topical non-corticosteroids.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Pharmacoeconomics 2003;21(3):159-79.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Schiffner R; Schiffner-Rohe J; Landthaler M; Stolz W

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Dermatology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany. jr.schiffner@t-online.de

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic skin disease with increasing prevalence and rising costs. Stigmatisation and pruritus are only some aspects of potential quality-of-life (QOL) impairments. AD is not curable and repeated treatments are often necessary. At present, treatment with topically-applied corticosteroids is state-of-the-art for mild to moderate flare-ups. However, many patients are worried about the use of corticosteroids due to the widespread fear of adverse effects. In this review the present literature is analysed concerning impact on quality of life for topically-applicable alternatives to the state-of-the-art treatment. For comparison reasons, data from other treatment modalities are additionally given. Characteristics of studies were analysed using ‘general’ (year and mode of publication, type and aim of study, number of patients, and clinical measurement) and ‘QOL specific’ criteria (type and number of QOL measurements including relevance for study aim and age group, validation in used language, sensitivity to change, and improvement at end of study). QOL data are published only in the minority of studies evaluating treatment efficacy and do not cover the variety of possible therapies. Data are available for tacrolimus, pimecrolimus, UVA/UVB combination and UVB narrowband (topical non-corticosteroidal treatments), as well as for topical corticosteroids, cyclosporin, and inpatient treatment. All studies provided a marked improvement in quality of life after therapy. One study assessed quality of life after a treatment-free follow-up period obtaining a clear increase in impact on quality of life. Since studies used different QOL measurements and vary in inclusion criteria, treatment schedules and presentation of results, a comparison of QOL improvement is not recommended. A single randomised study compared topically applied non-corticosteroidal treatment (UVA/UVB combination) with another treatment modality (cyclosporin) and found no difference in QOL improvement. At present, there is a clear lack of controlled randomised studies evaluating different active treatment modalities and their impact on quality of life. Consensus meetings are desirable to formulate guidelines for the selection and correct use of QOL measurements. Patients’ fear of side effects (e.g. concerning corticosteroids) should be integrated in QOL questionnaires for evaluation of possible compliance problems and real costs. Since relapse after treatment is frequent in AD, QOL measurements should also be performed after a treatment-free follow-up period. At present, we can not answer the question ‘which treatment best improves quality of life in AD?’.  N. Ref:: 128

 

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[69]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - St John’s Wort supplements endanger the success of organ transplantation.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Arch Surg 2002 Mar;137(3):316-9.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Ernst E

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Complementary Medicine, School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, 25 Victoria Park Rd, Exeter EX2 4NT, England. E.Ernst@ex.ac.uk

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - HYPOTHESIS: St John’s wort is one of the most popular herbal medicines, and health care professionals often are unaware that their patients take such supplements. St John’s wort causes a decrease in cyclosporine levels, thus endangering the success of organ transplantations. DESIGN: Systematic review. METHODS: Five independent computerized literature searches were conducted to identify all reports of such interactions. Data were extracted and are summarized in narrative form. RESULTS: Eleven case reports and 2 case series were located. In most instances, causality between St John’s wort and the clinical or biochemical result is well established. The mechanism of interaction between St John’s wort and cyclosporine has been recently elucidated and involves both P-glycoprotein and cytochrome P 450 3A4 expression. Collectively these data leave little doubt that St John’s wort interacts with cyclosporine, causing a decrease of cyclosporine blood levels and leading in several cases to transplant rejection. CONCLUSIONS: St John’s wort can endanger the success of organ transplantations. Adequate information may be the best way to avoid future incidences.  N. Ref:: 33

 

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[70]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Sirolimus and mycophenolate mofetil for calcineurin-free immunosuppression in renal transplant recipients.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Am J Kidney Dis 2001 Oct;38(4 Suppl 2):S16-21.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Pescovitz MD; Govani M

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Departments of Surgery, Microbiology/Immunology, and Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. mpescov@iupui.edu

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Calcineurin inhibitors, such as cyclosporine and tacrolimus, have been available for almost 20 years. Although these drugs are highly effective and represent the mainstay of transplant immunosuppression, they are associated with acute and chronic nephrotoxicity. Acute nephrotoxicity, which occurs in the early period after transplantation, leads to a higher rate of dialysis, and chronic nephrotoxicity may eventually result in graft loss. Acute and chronic nephrotoxicity is becoming more common as the use of marginal kidneys for transplantation increases. Two recently available immunosuppressive agents, mycophenolate mofetil and sirolimus (rapamycin), have no nephrotoxicity. The use of these drugs in combination with other agents has led to the development of new paradigms of immunosuppressive therapy. This paper reviews the results of clinical trials that have investigated these new approaches to immunosuppression in renal transplant recipients.  N. Ref:: 9

 

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[71]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Engineered CD3 antibodies for immunosuppression.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Clin Exp Immunol 2003 Sep;133(3):307-9.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Renders L; Valerius T  N. Ref:: 30

 

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[72]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Treatment of gammaherpesvirus-related neoplastic disorders in the immunosuppressed host.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Semin Hematol 2003 Apr;40(2):163-71.

      ●● Enlace al texto completo (gratuito o de pago) 1053/shem.2003.50016

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Little RF; Yarchoan R

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - HIV and AIDS Malignancy Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Neoplastic disease is a frequent complication in patients with acquired immunodeficiency disease (AIDS) and other immunodeficiencies. Many such neoplasms are caused by either Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) or Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpes virus (KSHV). The treatment of such patients can be challenging. At the same time, the viral origin of these tumors offers targets to develop pathogenesis-based therapies. Standard therapies for these diseases involve such approaches as treating the underlying immunodeficiency, cytotoxic chemotherapy, and immunologic antitumor therapy. Novel therapy approaches include specific immune therapy and anti-angiogenesis approaches, now under development.  N. Ref:: 105

 

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[73]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Minimizing calcineurin inhibitor drugs in renal transplantation.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplant Proc 2003 May;35(3 Suppl):118S-121S.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Flechner SM

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Section of Renal Transplantation, Transplant Center A110, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Calcineurin inhibitor drugs (CNI), primarily cyclosporine then tacrolimus, have been the centerpieces of maintenance immunosuppression for kidney transplantation since their introduction in the 1980s. While these drugs have been responsible for improved short-term outcomes and diminished rates of acute rejection, they are nephrotoxic and can cause permanent renal injury in many patients. Indeed, some have found that at 10 years after transplantation, the benefits of CNI drugs have been lost compared to the previous generation of maintenance immunosuppression. The use of these agents over many years contributes to the antigen-independent decline in renal function referred to as chronic allograft nephropathy. However, it remains unclear to what degree the use of CNI drugs contribute to ultimate graft loss. For these reasons immunosuppressive alternatives to CNI drugs have begun to emerge during the past few years. The recent introduction of the potent immunosuppressive agent sirolimus has afforded an opportunity to develop a regimen designed to maximize prophylaxis of early acute rejection, absent drug-induced nephrotoxicity. It was our feeling that the combination of antibody induction therapy combined with sirolimus substitution in a three-drug maintenance regimen, would provide the best posttransplant renal function and lowest rates of acute rejection. We have developed a CNI-free immunosuppressive regimen consisting of basiliximab induction, followed by sirolimus, MMF and steroids. Using this protocol we demonstrated comparable transplant outcomes with improved renal function in adult recipients of primary renal transplants. Limiting nephrotoxic immunosuppression should be considered an important goal; but requires sufficient long-term follow-up to support the benefits suggested from initial analysis of the data.  N. Ref:: 23

 

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[74]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Histopathological study of intrahepatic islets transplanted in the nonhuman primate model using edmonton protocol immunosuppression.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Acceso gratuito al texto completo a partir de 1 año de la fecha de publicación.

      ●● Enlace a la Editora de la Revista http://jcem.endojournals.org/ 

      ●● Cita: J. of Clin Endocrinol & Metab: <> 2002 Dec;87(12):5424-9.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Hirshberg B; Mog S; Patterson N; Leconte J; Harlan DM

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Transplantation and Autoimmunity Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - While islet cell transplantation is a promising way to restore insulin independence to patients with type I diabetes mellitus, a detailed histological analysis of the transplanted, intraportal islets has not yet been reported. Rhesus macaques underwent total pancreatectomy, then had allogeneic isolated islets infused into their portal vein, followed by daclizumab, tacrolimus, and sirolimus to prevent islet rejection. Islets were evenly distributed among the liver lobes. Liver sections from a primate given allogeneic islets 5 d earlier did not display any islet capillary formation, whereas intrahepatic islets transplanted 30 and 90 d before euthanasia showed an abundant capillary supply. Localized hepatocellular glycogenosis was observed surrounding the islets in a primate with functioning islets 7 months post transplant. Liver sections from a primate that rejected islets transplanted 2 months prior displayed only islet remnants with prominent local lymphohistiocytic inflammation and an occasional capillary. We conclude that islets develop an abundant vascular supply within 30 d following transplant and because capillaries persist even following rejection, that the vascular cells are likely from the recipient. While transplanted islets were not vascularized early post transplant, the primates remained insulin independent. The long-term consequence of islets in the liver, marked by the glycogenosis, remains unknown and warrants further study.

 

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[75]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - The mucosa of the small intestine: how clinically relevant as an organ of drug metabolism?

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Clin Pharmacokinet 2002;41(4):235-53.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Doherty MM; Charman WN

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Pharmaceutics, Victorian College of Pharmacy, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia. margaret.doherty@vcp.monash.edu.au

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - The intestinal mucosa is capable of metabolising drugs via phase I and II reactions. Increasingly, as a result of in vitro and in vivo (animal and human) data, the intestinal mucosa is being implicated as a major metabolic organ for some drugs. This has been supported by clinical studies of orally administered drugs (well-known examples include cyclosporin, midazolam, nifedipine and tacrolimus) where intestinal drug metabolism has significantly reduced oral bioavailability. This review discusses the intestinal properties and processes that contribute to drug metabolism. An understanding of the interplay between the processes controlling absorption, metabolism and P-glycoprotein-mediated efflux from the intestinal mucosa into the intestinal lumen facilitates determination of the extent of the intestinal contribution to first-pass metabolism. The clinical relevance of intestinal metabolism, however, depends on the relative importance of the metabolic pathway involved, the therapeutic index of the drug and the inherent inter- and intra-individual variability. This variability can stem from genetic (metabolising enzyme polymorphisms) and/or non-genetic (including concomitant drug and food intake, route of administration) sources. An overwhelming proportion of clinically relevant drug interactions where the intestine has been implicated as a major contributor to first-pass metabolism involve drugs that undergo cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4-mediated biotransformation and are substrates for the efflux transporter P-glycoprotein. Much work is yet to be done in characterising the clinical impact of other enzyme systems on drug therapy. In order to achieve this, the first-pass contributions of the intestine and liver must be successfully decoupled.  N. Ref:: 130

 

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[76]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - The effect of immunosuppressive protocols on spontaneous CNS remyelination following toxin-induced demyelination.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - J Neuroimmunol 2001 Oct 1;119(2):261-8.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Smith PM; Franklin RJ

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, CB3 0ES, Cambridge, UK.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Glial cell transplantation is a potential therapy for human demyelinating disease, though obtaining large numbers of human myelinating cells for transplantation remains a major stumbling block. Autologous transplantation is currently not possible, since the adult human CNS is not a good source of oligodendrocyte precursors, and long-term immunosuppression of engrafted allogeneic or xenogeneic cells is therefore likely to be necessary. Immunosuppressive drugs may need to be used in situations where more recent, active areas of demyelination are undergoing endogenous remyelination. It is therefore pertinent to establish the extent to which immunosuppressive protocols will suppress spontaneous remyelination. In order to investigate this issue, we created demyelinating lesions in the spinal cord of adult rats and compared the extent of remyelination in animals receiving different immunosuppressive treatments. In animals given only cyclosporin A, there was no difference in the extent of either Schwann cell or oligodendrocyte remyelination of ethidium bromide-induced demyelinating lesions. However, in animals given cyclophosphamide, either alone or in combination with cyclosporin, there was a significant reduction in the extent of oligodendrocyte-mediated remyelination. These results demonstrate that cyclophosphamide is deleterious to oligodendrocyte remyelination and for this reason should be used with caution in patients with demyelinating disease.

 

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[77]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Non-steroidal topical immunomodulators provide skin-selective, self-limiting treatment in atopic dermatitis.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Eur J Dermatol 2003 Sep-Oct;13(5):455-61.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Bos JD

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Dermatology A0-235, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 22700, 1100 DE Amsterdam, The Netherlands. j.d.bos@amc.uva.nl

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Topical corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment for atopic dermatitis; however, their clinical utility is limited by potential side effects. Recently, the steroid-free topical immunomodulators tacrolimus ointment and pimecrolimus cream have become available. These agents provide effective treatment without causing skin atrophy or other steroidal side effects, and their physiochemical properties, such as relatively large molecular size and high lipophilicity, limit diffusion through skin and into the bloodstream, providing skin-selective treatment. Clinical trials with more than 1,700 paediatric and adult patients have demonstrated that treatment with either agent is associated with minimal systemic absorption of tacrolimus or pimecrolimus. Additionally, studies have shown that percutaneous absorption of tacrolimus decreases as treatment continues and clinical improvement occurs. This self-limiting facet of the treatment, together with the skin-selectivity of topical immunomodulators, is reflected in the good safety and tolerability profiles of these agents, which promise to significantly improve the long-term management of atopic dermatitis.  N. Ref:: 56

 

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[78]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - The role of phosphatases in TOR signaling in yeast.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2004;279:19-38.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Duvel K; Broach JR

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - The TOR pathway controls cellular functions necessary for cell growth and proliferation of yeast and larger eukaryotes. The search for members of the TOR signaling cascade in yeast led to the discovery of type 2A protein phosphatases (PP2A) as important players within the pathway. We describe the roles in yeast of PP2A and the closely related phosphatase, Sit4, and then focus on complexes formed between the catalytic subunit of these phosphatases and Tap42, a direct target of the Tor protein kinases in yeast. Recent results suggest that Tap42 mediates many of the Tor functions in yeast, especially those involved in transcriptional modulation. However, whether Tap42 executes its function by inhibiting phosphatase activity or by activating phosphatases is still uncertain. In addition, Tor affects some transcriptional and physiological processes through Tap42 independent pathways. Thus, Tor proteins use multiple mechanisms to regulate transcriptional and physiological processes in yeast.  N. Ref:: 46

 

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[79]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Therapeutic drug monitoring of immunosuppressant drugs in clinical practice.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Clin Ther 2002 Mar;24(3):330-50; discussion 329.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Kahan BD; Keown P; Levy GA; Johnston A

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Division of Immunology and Organ Transplantation, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Medical School, 77030, USA. Barry.D.Kahan@uth.tmc.edu

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - BACKGROUND: Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is essential to maintain the efficacy of many immunosuppressant drugs while minimizing their toxicity. TDM has become more refined with the development of new monitoring techniques and more specific assays. OBJECTIVE: This article summarizes current data on TDM of the following immunosuppressant drugs used in organ transplantation: cyclosporine, tacrolimus, sirolimus, everolimus, and mycophenolate mofetil. METHODS: Published data were identified by a MEDLINE search of the English-language literature through March 2001 using the terms therapeutic drug monitoring, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, sirolimus, everolimus, and mycophenolate mofetil. Relevant conference abstracts were also included. RESULTS: TDM of cyclosporine has been well studied, and recent findings indicate that monitoring of drug levels 2 hours after dosing is a more sensitive predictor of outcome than trough (C0) monitoring. C0 levels are being used more widely in TDM of tacrolimus; however, the relationship between C0 and area under the curve has varied widely in clinical trials, with correlations ranging from 0.11 to 0.92. The use of TDM of sirolimus, everolimus, and mycophenolate mofetil is evolving rapidly. CONCLUSIONS: TDM of immunosuppressant drugs that have a narrow therapeutic index is an increasingly useful tool for minimizing drug toxicity while maximizing prevention of graft loss and organ rejection.  N. Ref:: 85

 

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[80]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - A prospective study of rapid corticosteroid elimination in simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation: comparison of two maintenance immunosuppression protocols: tacrolimus/mycophenolate mofetil versus tacrolimus/sirolimus.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplantation 2002 Jan 27;73(2):169-77.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Kaufman DB; Leventhal JR; Koffron AJ; Gallon LG; Parker MA; Fryer JP; Abecassis MM; Stuart FP

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, Northwestern University Medical School, 675 N. St. Clair Street, Galter Pavilion, Suite 17-200, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - BACKGROUND: We examined the feasibility of rapid corticosteroid elimination in simultaneous pancreas kidney transplantation. METHODS: Forty consecutive simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplant recipients were enrolled in a prospective study in which antithymocyte globulin induction and 6 days of corticosteroids were administered along with tacrolimus and MMF (n=20) or tacrolimus and sirolimus (n=20). Mean+/-SD follow-up for recipients receiving tacrolimus/MMF and tacrolimus/sirolimus were 12.7+/-3.9 and 13.4+/-2.9 months, respectively. Patient and graft survival, and rejection rates were compared to an historical control group (n=86; mean follow-up 41.5+/-15.4 months) of SPK recipients that received induction and tacrolimus, MMF, and corticosteroids. RESULTS: Demographic characteristics of recipient and donor variables were similar among all groups. The 1-year actuarial patient, kidney, and pancreas survival rates in the 40 SPK transplant recipients with rapid corticosteroid elimination were 100, 100, and 100%, respectively. In the historical control group the 1-year actual patient, kidney, and pancreas survival rates were 96.5, 93.0, and 91.9%, respectively. The 1-year rejection-free survival rate recipients in the rapid steroid elimination group collectively was 97.5 vs 80.2% in the historical control group (P=0.034). At 6 and 12 months posttransplant the serum creatinine values remained stable in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that chronic corticosteroid exposure is not required in SPK transplant recipients receiving antithymocyte globulin induction and maintenance immuno-suppression consisting of either tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil or tacrolimus and sirolimus.

 

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[81]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - The potential of chitosan in ocular drug delivery.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - J Pharm Pharmacol 2003 Nov;55(11):1451-63.

      ●● Enlace al texto completo (gratuito o de pago) 1211/0022357022476

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Alonso MJ; Sanchez A

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, España. ffmjalon@usc.es

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - This paper presents an overview of the potential of chitosan-based systems for improving the retention and biodistribution of drugs applied topically onto the eye. Besides its low toxicity and good ocular tolerance, chitosan exhibits favourable biological behaviour, such as bioadhesion- and permeability-enhancing properties, and also interesting physico-chemical characteristics, which make it a unique material for the design of ocular drug delivery vehicles. The review summarizes the techniques for the production of chitosan gels, chitosan-coated colloidal systems and chitosan nanoparticles, and describes their mechanism of action upon contact with the ocular mucosa. The results reported until now have provided evidence of the potential of chitosan gels for enhancing and prolonging the retention of drugs on the eye surface. On the other hand, chitosan-based colloidal systems were found to work as transmucosal drug carriers, either facilitating the transport of drugs to the inner eye (chitosan-coated colloidal systems containing indometacin) or their accumulation into the corneal/conjunctival epithelia (chitosan nanoparticles containing ciclosporin). Finally, the tolerance, toxicity and biodegradation of the carriers under evaluation were reviewed.  N. Ref:: 75

 

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[82]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Rejection rate in living donor kidney transplantation with and without basiliximab in tacrolimus/mycophenolate mofetil-based protocol.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplant Proc 2003 Mar;35(2):653-4.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Rahamimov R; Yussim A; After T; Lustig S; Bar-Nathan N; Shaharabani E; Shapira Z; Shabthai E; Mor E

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Transplantation, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah-Tiqwa, Israel. rutir@clalit.org.il

 

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[83]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - The Rapamune era of immunosuppression 2003: the journey from the laboratory to clinical transplantation.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplant Proc 2003 May;35(3 Suppl):18S-24S.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Camardo J

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Wyeth Research, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, USA.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - The story of Rapamune (sirolimus, rapamycin) began with the isolation of an antibiotic from a soil sample sent to Ayerst Laboratories in Montreal. More than 25 years later, sirolimus was approved for use by transplant physicians in the United States. Development programs for new drugs for transplantation face significant challenges. Four key challenges were critical to the development of sirolimus as a drug for transplantation: First, sirolimus was not intended to be an antirejection agent. Second, sirolimus was not easy to make or purify into a palatable substance for human use and the development of a pharmaceutical form was an important and critical hurdle. Third, sirolimus showed potent antirejection activity when tested in de novo allograft recipients, but the development program required careful attention to its optimal use in multidrug transplant regimens. Fourth, the clinical program approved in the United States was rejected in Europe, and it was only with additional studies and a unique appeal process that sirolimus became available in Europe. Currently, sirolimus (Rapamune) is available throughout most of the world except in Japan, having achieved regulatory approvals in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia. Although sirolimus failed in its original role as an antifungal agent, it ultimately succeeded as an antirejection drug. Today, sirolimus holds additional promise both as a drug useful for the prevention of restenosis after coronary angioplasty and as an antitumor agent.  N. Ref:: 39

 

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[84]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Recent advances in immunosuppressive therapy for renal transplantation.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Semin Dial 2001 May-Jun;14(3):218-22.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Peddi VR; First MR

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267-0585, USA. ram.peddi@uc.edu

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Recent advances in immunosuppression have focused on more effective, safer, and targeted therapies that have resulted in improved short- and intermediate-term renal allograft survival. During the past decade there has been a marked decrease in acute rejection rates following renal transplantation because of the use of newer immunosuppressive agents. Recent data indicate that the average yearly reduction in the relative hazard of graft failure beyond 1 year was 4.2% for all recipients (0.4% for those recipients who had an acute rejection episode and 6.3% for those who did not have an acute rejection). Despite these improvements the currently available immunosuppressive agents are associated with significant cardiovascular risk factors, an increased risk of infection, and the development of malignancies in the long term. Predictive parameters of donor-specific hyporesponsiveness are needed so as to allow identification of patients in whom immunosuppressive therapy can be safely reduced. Immunosuppressive agents that have recently been approved for use in the United States and those that are in clinical and preclinical studies are discussed.  N. Ref:: 27

 

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[85]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Impact of immunosuppressive therapy on recurrence of hepatitis C.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Liver Transpl 2002 Oct;8(10 Suppl 1):S19-27.

      ●● Enlace al texto completo (gratuito o de pago) 1053/jlts.2002.35852

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Everson GT

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Hepatology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO 80262, USA. greg.everson@ucshc.edu

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - 1. Approximately 10% to 25% of hepatitis C virus-infected recipients of liver allografts will develop cirrhosis within 5 years of transplantation; this acceleration of the natural history of hepatitis C is caused in part by immunosuppression. 2. Risk factors for aggressive recurrence, graft loss, and death are treated acute cellular rejection, methylprednisolone pulse therapy, and use of OKT3. There appears to be no consistent difference between cyclosporine and tacrolimus in their effects on hepatitis C. 3. The benefit of steroid withdrawal, although commonly practiced in transplant recipients with hepatitis C, has not been proven. 4. Mycophenolate mofetil may show synergistic antiviral properties when used with interferon; however, posttransplantation use has not been associated with consistent beneficial or deleterious effects. 5. Effects of other agents, such as sirolimus or interleukin-2-receptor antibodies, have not been adequately defined. Early reports suggest that disease activity may be more aggressive when these agents are constituents of the immunosuppressive regimen.  N. Ref:: 54

 

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[86]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Limited dose monoclonal IL-2R antibody induction protocol after primary kidney transplantation.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Am J Transplant 2002 Jul;2(6):568-73.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Ahsan N; Holman MJ; Jarowenko MV; Razzaque MS; Yang HC

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Nephrology and Transplant Division, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Brunswick 08904, USA. ahsanna@umdnj.edu

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - This study prospectively compared immunoprophylaxis with a single intraoperative dose (2 mg/kg) of monoclonal interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) antibody vs. noninduction in kidney transplant recipients treated with tacrolimus (FK 506), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and a prednisone-based immunosuppression regimen. One hundred recipients of first-kidney transplant were enrolled into the study to receive either anti-IL-2R monoclonal antibody, daclizumab (2 mg/kg intraoperatively, limited anti-IL-2R) or no induction (control). Each patient also received oral tacrolimus (dosed to target trough level 10-15 ng/mL), MMF (500 mg bid) and prednisone. The primary efficacy end-point was the incidence of biopsy proven acute rejection during the first 6 months post-transplant. The patients were also followed for 12-month graft function, and graft and patient survival rates. Other than the donor’s age being significantly lower in the control group, both groups were comparable with respect to age, weight, gender, race, human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR mismatch, panel reactive antibody (%PRA), cold ischemic time, cytomegalovirus (CMV) status, causes of renal failure, and duration and modes of renal replacement therapy (RRT). During the first 6 months, episodes of first biopsy confirmed acute rejection was 3/50 (6%) in the limited anti-IL-2R group and 8/50 (16%) in the controls (p < 0.05). Twelve-month patient 100/98 (%) and graft survival 100/96 (%) were not statistically different. The group receiving limited anti-IL-2R did not have any adverse reactions. Our study demonstrates that a limited (single) 2 mg/kg immunoprophylaxis dose with monoclonal IL-2R antibody (daclizumab) when combined with tacrolimus/MMF/steroid allows significant reduction in early renal allograft rejection to the single digit level. The therapy with anti-IL-2R antibody is simple and is well tolerated.

 

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[87]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - The utility of monoclonal antibody therapy in renal transplantation.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplant Proc 2002 May;34(3):797-800.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Loertscher R

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Division of Transplantation, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. rolf.loertscher@mcgill.ca  N. Ref:: 37

 

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[88]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Safety and efficacy of TOR inhibitors in pediatric renal transplant recipients.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Am J Kidney Dis 2001 Oct;38(4 Suppl 2):S22-8.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Ettenger RB; Grimm EM

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Pediatrics, Mattel Children’s Hospital at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1752, USA. Rettenger@mednet.ucla.edu

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Information about the pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy of target of rapamycin (TOR) inhibitors, such as sirolimus and everolimus, in pediatric renal transplant recipients is limited. In an ascending single-dose pharmacokinetic study of sirolimus in pediatric dialysis patients, no clinically significant association was observed between patient age and absorption of sirolimus from the gastrointestinal tract. However, young pediatric patients (5 to 11 years of age) exhibited significantly greater apparent oral clearances, suggesting that pediatric patients require slightly higher doses than do adults when adjusted for body weight or surface area. Similarly, in studies performed in pediatric renal transplant recipients, the half-life of sirolimus was shorter and the clearance was greater in younger patients. On the other hand, in single-dose pharmacokinetic studies of everolimus, the apparent clearance was reduced in pediatric renal transplant recipients compared with clearance in adults. This reduced clearance was attributed to a smaller apparent volume of distribution in pediatric patients, rather than to a difference in terminal half-life. This suggested that, although the adult 12-hour dosing interval was appropriate for pediatric patients, they would require reduced dosing based on body size compared with adults. In a large trial (N = 719) of sirolimus versus azathioprine in combination with cyclosporine microemulsion and prednisone, 6 pediatric patients (13 to 18 years of age) received sirolimus at 2 mg/d, 3 received sirolimus at 5 mg/d, and 3 received azathioprine. Seven of the nine patients who received sirolimus experienced no rejection episodes. Six infectious episodes occurred in the 6 patients receiving sirolimus at 2 mg/d, 10 episodes occurred in the 3 patients receiving sirolimus at 5 mg/d, and 8 episodes occurred in the 3 patients receiving azathioprine. At 6 months after transplantation, renal function was similar in all 3 groups, although there was a statistically nonsignificant increase in the group receiving sirolimus at 5 mg/d. The mean cholesterol and triglyceride levels were generally comparable in all 3 groups. TOR inhibitors are promising agents for the prevention of graft rejection in pediatric renal transplant recipients, but more pharmacokinetic data are required to assess the optimal dosing regimens in this population. In addition, further data are needed on the efficacy and safety of TOR inhibitors in combination with other agents in pediatric transplantation recipients to best assess the role of TOR inhibition in corticosteroid and/or calcineurin inhibitor-sparing regimens.  N. Ref:: 13

 

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[89]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Low-intensity hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation across human leucocyte antigen barriers in dyskeratosis congenita.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Bone Marrow Transplant 2003 May;31(10):847-50.

      ●● Enlace al texto completo (gratuito o de pago) 1038/sj.bmt.1703931

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Dror Y; Freedman MH; Leaker M; Verbeek J; Armstrong CA; Saunders FE; Doyle JJ

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Marrow Failure and Myelodysplasia Programme, Division of Haematology and Oncology, Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Since the results of conventional hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) for patients with dyskeratosis congenita (DC) are poor owing to the high incidence of transplant-related complications, we explored the use of a low-intensity HSCT regimen. We report two children with DC with severe cytopenia, who underwent successful HSCT from a matched unrelated donor after conditioning with fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and antithymocyte globulin. Graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) prophylaxis consisted of corticosteroids and cyclosporin A. The regimen was well tolerated, no significant transplant-related complications were observed, and engraftment was rapid and complete. At 15 and 16 months after HSCT, the children were fully engrafted, in excellent clinical condition, full-donor chimerism, and no signs of GVHD. We conclude that a low-intensity regimen is sufficient to induce durable engraftment using matched unrelated donor HSCT in DC patients, with minimal 1-year transplant-related toxicity. Longer follow-up will determine whether this regimen also reduces long-term toxicity.  N. Ref:: 35

 

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[90]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Tacrolimus versus cyclosporine after lung transplantation: a prospective, open, randomized two-center trial comparing two different immunosuppressive protocols.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - J Heart Lung Transplant 2001 May;20(5):511-7.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Treede H; Klepetko W; Reichenspurner H; Zuckermann A; Meiser B; Birsan T; Wisser W; Reichert B

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - BACKGROUND: The need for better immunosuppressive protocols after lung transplantation led us to investigate tacrolimus (Tac) in combination with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and steroids or cyclosporine (CsA) in combination with MMF and steroids in a prospective, open, randomized trial after lung transplantation. METHODS: Between September 1997 and April 1999, 50 lung transplant recipients were randomized to receive either Tac (n = 26) or CsA (n = 24) in combination with MMF and steroids. All patients underwent induction therapy with rabbit antithymocyte globulin (ATG) for 3 days. Freedom from acute rejection (AR), patient survival, infection episodes, and side effects were monitored. RESULTS: There was no difference in patient demographics between the two groups. Six-month and 1-year survival was similar (84.6% and 73.1% in the Tac group vs 83.3% and 79.2% in the CsA group). Freedom from AR at 6 months and 1 year after lung transplantation was slightly higher in the Tac group (57.7% and 50% vs 45.8% and 33.3%, p = not significant [n.s.]), whereas the number of treated rejection episodes per 100 patient days in the Tac group was significantly lower (0.225 vs 0.426, p < .05). Four patients in the CsA group had to be switched to Tac. Two patients in the CsA group had to be retransplanted. Incidence of infections was similar in both groups with a trend toward more fungal infections in the Tac group (n = 7 vs n = 1, p = n.s.). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of Tac and MMF seems to have slightly higher immunosuppressive potential compared with CsA and MMF. The effectiveness of Tac as a rescue agent is not paralleled with undue signs of overimmunosuppression.

 

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[91]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Role of prostanoids and endothelins in the prevention of cyclosporine-induced nephrotoxicity.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2001 Apr-May;64(4-5):231-9.

      ●● Enlace al texto completo (gratuito o de pago) 1054/plef.2001.0265

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Darlametsos IE; Varonos DD

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Centre Franco-Hellenique de Recherches Biomedicales, Nikolaos Papanikolaou, Corporation of the Municipality Agrinion, Agrinion, 30100, Greece. darlamet@otenet.gr

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Cyclosporine A nephrotoxicity includes both functional toxicity and histological changes, whose seriousness is dependent upon the dose and the duration of the drug administration. Several vasoactive agents have been found to be implicated in cyclosporine induced nephrotoxicity, among which prostanoids and endothelins are the most important. In previous studies we were able to prevent the early stage (7 days) of cyclosporine (37.4 micromol [45 mg]/kg/day) induced nephrotoxicity in rats either by the administration, i) of OKY-046, a thromboxane A(2)synthase inhibitor, ii) of ketanserine, an antagonist of S(2)serotonergic, a(1)adrenergic, and H(1)histaminergic receptors and iii) of nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker, or by diet supplementation either with evening primrose oil or fish oil. All these protective agents elevated ratios of excreted renal prostanoid vasodilators (prostaglandins E(2), 6ketoF(1 alpha)) to vasoconstrictor (thromboxane B(2)), a ratio which was decreased by the administration of cyclosporine alone. Nifedipine averted the cyclosporine induced increase of urinary endothelin-1 release. All protections were associated with the reinstatement of glomerular filtration rate forwards normal levels whereas renal damage defence, consisting of a decrease of the cyclosporine induced vacuolizations, was variable. Ketanserine and evening primrose oil were the only agents which prevented the animal body weight loss. These data suggest that prostanoids and endothelin-1 may mediate functional toxicity while thromboxane A(2)is involved the morphological changes too, provoked in the early stage of cyclosporine treatment. However, other nephrotoxic factors and additional mechanisms could also be implicated in the cyclosporine induced nephrotoxicity.  N. Ref:: 91

 

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[92]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Ten years of sirolimus therapy in orthotopic liver transplant recipients.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplant Proc 2003 May;35(3 Suppl):209S-216S.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Neff GW; Montalbano M; Tzakis AG

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - BACKGROUND: Sirolimus therapy has been used in orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) recipients diagnosed with a variety of diseases; chronic graft rejection (CR), calcineurin associated renal toxicity, preemptive immune suppression, calcineurin related neurotoxicity, preemptive therapy in transplant recipients with history of hepatocellular carcinoma, and steroid resistant allograft rejection. METHODS: A search for the medical literature and experiences involving sirolimus was done. RESULTS: Several animal and human reports evaluating the use sirolimus in liver transplant recipients are found and discussed. CONCLUSION: Sirolimus has been used for multitude of indications, primarily based on anecdotal experiences. However, reports of sirolimus related side effects have decreased the transplant communities’ enthusiasm towards promoting this agent as a safe immune suppression agent.  N. Ref:: 92

 

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[93]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Suggested guidelines for the use of tacrolimus in cardiac transplant recipients.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - J Heart Lung Transplant 2001 Jul;20(7):734-8.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Taylor DO; Barr ML; Meiser BM; Pham SM; Mentzer RM; Gass AL

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132, USA.  N. Ref:: 11

 

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[94]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome: a pictorial essay.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Clin Imaging 2003 Sep-Oct;27(5):307-15.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Kinoshita T; Moritani T; Shrier DA; Hiwatashi A; Wang HZ; Numaguchi Y; Westesson PL

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Radiology, Division of Radiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue Box 648, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. kino@grape.med.tottori-u.ac.jp

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome is characterized by reversible white matter lesions. However, ischemic injury with irreversible damage may occur. This pictorial essay illustrates MR features associated with posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome. We will emphasize the role of diffusion-weighted imaging for the discrimination of irreversible ischemic injury from reversible vasogenic edema.  N. Ref:: 9

 

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[95]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Sirolimus therapy in cardiac transplantation.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplant Proc 2003 May;35(3 Suppl):171S-176S.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Radovancevic B; Vrtovec B

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Rapamycin powerfully inhibits the progression of antigen-activated T cells through the cell cycle. In animal heart transplantation models, rapamycin therapy has been associated with profound immunosuppressive effects on host humoral and cellular responses. In consequence, further studies have been conducted to evaluate the efficiency of rapamycin in preventing acute heart allograft rejection, treating refractory acute heart allograft rejection, inducing transplantation tolerance, and preventing and treating transplant coronary artery disease. The results of these studies indicated that rapamycin can effectively prevent acute graft rejection and inhibit refractory acute graft rejection in heart transplant recipients by exerting potent immunosuppressive and antiproliferative effects without adversely affecting renal function. This supports the use of rapamycin therapy in heart transplant recipients, especially in those with renal dysfunction, for whom treatment with calcineurin inhibitors is contraindicated. Rapamycin may also halt and even reverse the progression of cardiac allograft vasculopathy, which warrants further clinical trials in humans. Finally, rapamycin may be able to induce transplantation tolerance, thus making it one of the most promising modalities for improving the long-term survival of heart transplant recipients.  N. Ref:: 41

 

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[96]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Pimecrolimus (Elidel, SDZ ASM 981)--preclinical pharmacologic profile and skin selectivity.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Semin Cutan Med Surg 2001 Dec;20(4):233-41.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Stuetz A; Grassberger M; Meingassner JG

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Novartis Research Institute, Vienna, Austria.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - The ascomycin macrolactam derivative pimecrolimus (Elidel, SDZ ASM 981; Novartis Pharma AG, Basel Switzerland) is a cell-selective inhibitor of inflammatory cytokines specifically developed for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, and plaque-type psoriasis. It inhibits the production of inflammatory cytokines in T cells and mast cells and prevents the release of preformed inflammatory mediators from mast cells. Topically administered pimecrolimus is as effective as the high-potency corticosteroid clobetasol-17-propionate in a pig model of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). Unlike clobetasol, however, it does not cause skin atrophy. Given orally, pimecrolimus is as potent or superior to tacrolimus (FK 506) in treating ACD in mice and rats. Pimecrolimus also effectively reduces skin inflammation and pruritus in hypomagnesemic hairless rats, a model that mimics acute signs of atopic dermatitis. Pimecrolimus shows only a low potential to impair systemic immune responses when compared with tacrolimus as shown in rats in (1) the localized graft-versus-host reaction, (2) the antibody formation to sheep red blood cells, and (3) kidney transplantation. Pimecrolimus permeates through pig skin in vitro at a 10-times lower rate than tacrolimus, indicating a lower potential for percutaneous absorption in vivo. The data suggest that pimecrolimus combines high anti-inflammatory activity in the skin with a low potential to impair systemic immune reactions.  N. Ref:: 31

 

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[97]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - The treatment of atopic dermatitis with systemic immunosuppressive agents.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Clin Dermatol 2003 May-Jun;21(3):225-40.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Akhavan A; Rudikoff D

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Dermatology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10029, USA.  N. Ref:: 165

 

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[98]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Retroviral oncogenes and TOR.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2004;279:321-38.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Aoki M; Vogt PK

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, BCC-239, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Retroviruses have recruited the catalytic subunit of PI 3-kinase and its downstream target, Akt, as oncogenes. These viruses cause tumors in animals and induce oncogenic transformation in cell culture. The oncogenicity of these viruses is specifically inhibited by rapamycin; retroviruses carrying other oncogenes are insensitive to this macrolide antibiotic. Rapamycin is an inhibitor of the TOR (target of rapamycin) kinase whose downstream targets include p70 S6 kinase and the negative regulator of translation initiation 4E-BP. Emerging evidence suggests that the TOR signals transmitted to the translational machinery are essential for oncogenic transformation by the PI 3-kinase pathway.  N. Ref:: 93

 

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[99]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Treatment of patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2002 Oct;23(2):233-41.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Stanaland BE

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Division of Allergy and Immunology, University of South Florida Health Sciences Center, USA.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Treatment of patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) involves reducing symptoms with the least invasive therapy and carefully balancing risk and benefit. The mainstay of therapy is the use of antihistamines with or without the use of intermittent pulses of corticosteroids. Alternative therapies to chronic corticosteroids include leukotriene antagonists, plasma-phoresis, dapsone, stanazolol, hydroxychloroquine, methotrexate, cyclosporin, tacrolimus, and warfarin. A practical approach to CIU bases treatment and severity on the patients’ previous response to therapy. Therapy goals are to reduce symptoms until spontaneous resolution occurs. Management of CIU patients can be both frustrating and rewarding.  N. Ref:: 34

 

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[100]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Programmed death in yeast as adaptation?

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - FEBS Lett. Acceso gratuito al texto completo a partir de 1 año de la fecha de publicación.

      ●● Enlace a la Editora de la Revista http://www.elsevier.com/febs/show/index.htt 

      ●● Cita: FEBS Letters: <> 2002 Sep 25;528(1-3):23-6.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Skulachev VP

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow State University, Russia. skulach@belozersky.msu.ru

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - During recent years, several pieces of indirect evidence of a programmed death in yeast have been published. Among them there are observations that some mammalian pro- or anti-apoptotic proteins induce or prevent the death of yeast; some toxic compounds kill yeast at lower concentrations if protein synthesis is operative; this death, as well as the death due to certain mutations, shows some apoptotic markers. In April 2002, the yeast programmed death concept received direct support. Madeo et al. [Madeo et al., Mol. Cell 9 (2002) 911-917] disclosed a caspase which is activated by H(2)O(2) or aging and is required for the protein-synthesis-dependent death of yeast. Thus, a specific apoptosis-mediating protein was identified for the first time in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Independently, Severin and Hyman [Severin, F.F., Hyman, A.A., Curr. Biol. 12 (2002) R233-R235] discovered that death of yeast, induced by a high level of a pheromone, is programmed. In particular, the death was found to be prevented by cycloheximide and cyclosporin A. It required mitochondrial DNA, cytochrome c and the pheromone-initiated protein kinase cascade. When haploids of opposite mating types were mixed, some cells died, the inhibitory pattern being the same as in the case of the killing by pheromone. Inhibition of mating proved to be favorable for death. Thus, pheromone not only activates mating but also eliminates yeast cells failing to mate. Such an effect should (i) stimulate switch of the yeast population from vegetative to sexual reproduction, and (ii) shorten the life span and, hence, accelerate changing of generations. As a result, the probability of appearance of new traits could be enhanced when ambient conditions turned for the worse.  N. Ref:: 40

 

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[101]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Intestinal graft-versus-host disease: mechanisms and management.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Drugs 2003;63(1):1-15.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Takatsuka H; Iwasaki T; Okamoto T; Kakishita E

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Second Department of Internal Medicine, Hyogo College of Medicine, Hyogo, Japan. hematol@hyo-med.ac.jp

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation remains the treatment of choice for a number of malignancies. However, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) has long been regarded as a serious complication of this procedure. Although GVHD may affect any organ, intestinal GVHD is particularly important because of its frequency, severity and impact on the general condition of the patient. Recent studies have led to progressive elucidation of the mechanism of GVHD. Donor T cells are critical for the induction of GVHD, because depletion of T cells from bone marrow grafts effectively prevents GVHD but also results in an increase of leukaemia relapse. It has been shown that the gastrointestinal tract plays a major role in the amplification of systemic disease because gastrointestinal damage increases the translocation of endotoxins, which promotes further inflammation and additional gastrointestinal damage. Consequently, the management of intestinal GVHD (and the intestine itself) is a subject that should be highlighted. In this article, approaches to the prevention of intestinal GVHD are discussed after being classified into three categories: regimens in common clinical use, regimens under investigation and original regimens used at our hospital. The standard regimen that is used most widely for prevention of GVHD is cyclosporin plus short-term methotrexate. Corticosteroids can be added to this regimen but careful consideration of the adverse effects of these hormones should be considered. Tacrolimus is a newer, more potent alternative to cyclosporin. T-cell depletion (TCD) after transplantation has been shown to prevent acute GVHD, however, the survival benefit of TCD has not been as great as expected. Mycophenolate mofetil can be useful for the treatment of acute GVHD as part of combination therapy. Regimens currently under investigation in animal experiments include suppression of inflammatory cytokines and inhibition of T-cell activation, and, specifically at our institution, hepatocyte growth factor gene therapy. The evidence-based therapy used at our institution includes systemic antibacterial therapy (including eradication of intestinal bacteria) to prevent the intestinal translocation of lipopolysaccharide and avoid the subsequent increase of various inflammatory cytokines. In addition, because of the similarities between intestinal GVHD and ulcerative colitis, sulfasalazine, betamethasone enemas and eicosapentaenoic acid have been used to treat intestinal GVHD in some patients.  N. Ref:: 125

 

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[102]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Prevention strategies for type 1 diabetes mellitus: current status and future directions.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - BioDrugs 2003;17(1):39-64.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Winter WE; Schatz D

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA. winter@pathology.ufl.edu

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Type 1 diabetes mellitus affects about 1 in 300 people in North America and Europe. Epidemiological studies indicate that the incidence and thus prevalence of type 1 diabetes is rising worldwide. Intervention in autoimmune type 1a diabetes could occur at the time of diagnosis or, preferably, prior to clinical presentation during the ‘prediabetic’ period (e.g. prevention). Prediabetes is best recognised by the detection of islet autoantibodies in the serum. Promising intervention strategies include monoclonal antibody therapies (e.g. anti-CD3, anti-CD25, anti-CD52 or anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies), immunosuppression (e.g. calcineurin inhibitors, B7 blockade, glucocorticoids, sirolimus (rapamycin), azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil), immunomodulatory therapies (e.g. plasmapheresis, intravenous immunoglobulin, cytokine administration, adoptive cellular gene therapy) and tolerisation interventions (e.g. autoantigen administration or avoidance, altered peptide ligand or peptide-based therapies). To date, islet and pancreas transplantation have essentially been reserved for patients with long-standing diabetes who have complications and are also in need of a concurrent kidney transplant. None of the therapies attempted to date has produced long-term remissions in new-onset type 1 diabetes patients and no therapies have been shown to prevent the disease. Nevertheless, with advances in our understanding of basic immunology and the cellular and molecular mechanisms of tolerance induction and maintenance, successful intervention therapies will be developed. The balance between safety and efficacy is critical. Higher rates of adverse events might be more tolerable in new-onset type 1 diabetes patients if the therapy is extremely effective at inducing a permanent remission. However, therapies must not harm the beta-cells themselves or any organ system that is a potential target of diabetes complications, such as the nervous system, retina, cardiovascular system or kidney. In the treatment of prediabetes, successful therapies should provide a level of safety similar to that of currently used vaccines and a high level of efficacy.  N. Ref:: 244

 

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[103]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Tailoring immunosuppressive therapy based on donor and recipient risk factors.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplant Proc 2001 May;33(3):2207-11.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - First MR

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267-0585, USA.  N. Ref:: 35

 

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[104]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Maintenance immunosuppression in the renal transplant recipient: an overview.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Am J Kidney Dis 2001 Dec;38(6 Suppl 6):S25-35.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Gaston RS

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Division of Nephrology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA. rgaston@nrtc.uab.edu

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Managing maintenance immunosuppressive regimens after kidney transplantation is often challenging and confusing, requiring careful attention to efficacy, dosing, adverse effects, and costs of multiple medications. Most protocols combine a primary immunosuppressant (cyclosporine or tacrolimus) with one or two adjunctive agents (azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, sirolimus, corticosteroids). Avoiding drug-drug interactions is a major part of effective immunosuppressant management, and special situations (eg, pregnancy, intravenous dosing, caring for minority patients) can prove especially daunting. This review summarizes available data regarding current practices in maintenance immunosuppression, emphasizing issues that arise in day-to-day management of renal transplant recipients.  N. Ref:: 69

 

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[105]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - What’s in the pipeline? New immunosuppressive drugs in transplantation.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Am J Transplant 2002 Nov;2(10):898-903.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Vincenti F

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - University of California, San Francisco, Kidney Transplant Service, 505 Parnassus Avenue, Room 884M, San Francisco, CA 94143-0116, USA. vincentif@surgery.ucsf.edu

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - In the pipeline, there are a number of novel immunosuppressive drugs in preclinical development or in early clinical trials. The major target of new agents are cell-surface molecules important in immune cell interactions (especially the costimulatory pathway), signaling pathways that activate T cells, T-cell proliferation and trafficking and recruitment of immune cells responsible for rejection. The most promising biologic agents include a humanized anti-CD11a (anti-LFA1), humanized anti-B7.1/B7.2, a second-generation CTLA4Ig (LEA29Y) and a humanized antibody to anti-CD45 RB. Inhibitors of T-cell activation and signaling are still in preclinical development. The most interesting inhibitors of T-cell proliferation include inhibitors of the Janus protein tyrosine kinase, JAK3, and FK778, a leflunomide analog. Chemokines play an important role in rejection by virtue of their critical role as regulator of trafficking and activation of lymphocytes. Early trials of FTY720, a synthetic small molecule with functional homology to sphingosine-1 phosphate leading to lymphocyte sequestration, appear very promising; however, enthusiasm for this drug is mitigated by its potential cardiac side-effects. Antagonists to several chemokine receptors, including CCR1, CXCR3 and CCR5, have been shown to be effective in experimental transplantation and are likely to be considered for clinical development.  N. Ref:: 46

 

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[106]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Current and potential agents for the treatment of alopecia areata.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Curr Pharm Des 2001 Feb;7(3):213-30.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Freyschmidt-Paul P; Hoffmann R; Levine E; Sundberg JP; Happle R; McElwee KJ

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Dermatology, Philipp University, Marburg, Germany. freyschm@mailer.uni-marburg.de

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Alopecia areata is considered to be a T-cell mediated autoimmune disease of the hair follicle. Current immunosuppressive approaches and immunomodulatory treatment with contact sensitizers such as diphenylcyclopropenone and squaric acid dibutylester are dealt with in this review article. The efficacy of the various modes of treatment is evaluated by a review of literature and their mode of action is discussed. In accordance with the mechanism of autoimmune pathogenesis of AA, improved future treatments may be immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory, or they should otherwise protect the hair follicle from the injurious effects of the inflammation. Such possible future therapeutic approaches include the use of liposomes as an improved vehicle, application of immunosuppressive cytokines like TGF-beta and IL-10, inhibition of apoptosis mediated by the Fas-FasL system, inhibition of the lymphocyte homing receptor CD44v10, induction of tolerance as well as principles of gene therapy.  N. Ref:: 141

 

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[107]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Tolerance to islet autoantigens in type 1 diabetes.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Annu Rev Immunol 2001;19:131-61.

      ●● Enlace al texto completo (gratuito o de pago) 1146/annurev.immunol.19.1.131

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Bach JF; Chatenoud L

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - INSERM U 25, Hopital Necker, 161 rue de Sevres, Paris Cedex 15, 75743 France. bach@necker.fr

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Tolerance to beta cell autoantigens represents a fragile equilibrium. Autoreactive T cells specific to these autoantigens are present in most normal individuals but are kept under control by a number of peripheral tolerance mechanisms, among which CD4(+) CD25(+) CD62L(+) T cell-mediated regulation probably plays a central role. The equilibrium may be disrupted by inappropriate activation of autoantigen-specific T cells, notably following to local inflammation that enhances the expression of the various molecules contributing to antigen recognition by T cells. Even when T cell activation finally overrides regulation, stimulation of regulatory cells by CD3 antibodies may reset the control of autoimmunity. Other procedures may also lead to disease prevention. These procedures are essentially focused on Th2 cytokines, whether used systemically or produced by Th2 cells after specific stimulation by autoantigens. Protection can also be obtained by NK T cell stimulation. Administration of beta cell antigens or CD3 antibodies is now being tested in clinical trials in prediabetics and/or recently diagnosed diabetes.  N. Ref:: 153

 

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[108]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Early experience using calcineurin-free protocol in recipients of high-risk cadaver renal transplants.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplant Proc 2002 Aug;34(5):1627-8.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - El-Sabrout R; Delaney V; Butt F; Qadir M; Rashid I; Hanson P; Butt K

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Departments of Transplantation/Vascular Surgery, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA.

 

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[109]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Reactivation of replication of hepatitis B and C viruses after immunosuppressive therapy: an unresolved issue.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Lancet Oncol 2002 Jun;3(6):333-40.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Vento S; Cainelli F; Longhi MS

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pathology, University of Verona, Borgo Trento Hospital, Verona, Italy. ventosandro@yahoo.it

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - The liver is susceptible to the toxic effects of many cytotoxic or immunosuppressive treatments. However, in carriers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and, less frequently, of hepatitis C virus, liver damage due to reactivation of viral replication can occur after withdrawal of immunosuppressive drugs. These reactivations, which are associated with fulminant forms of hepatitis in up to 25% of cases, are observed both in symptom-free chronic carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen and in patients who have chronic hepatitis B or C and concurrent haematological tumours or solid neoplasms or who have received transplants. HBV-related complications may cause delays or modifications of therapy, and the chance of cure is reduced. In this review, we analyse clinical, biochemical, and serological issues in reactivation of viral replication and examine the role of immune reactions in the pathogenesis and the possible toxicity of immunosuppressive drugs. We emphasise the importance of identifying predictive markers of a clinically relevant reactivation, review difficulties in drug prevention and treatment, indicate studies that are needed to address the key clinical issues, and give practical recommendations to practising physicians and oncologists.  N. Ref:: 60

 

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[110]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation after cytotoxic or immunosuppressive therapy—pathogenesis and management.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Rev Med Virol 2001 Sep-Oct;11(5):287-99.

      ●● Enlace al texto completo (gratuito o de pago) 1002/rmv.322 [pii]

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Xunrong L; Yan AW; Liang R; Lau GK

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - University Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, 102 Pokfulum Road, Hong Kong SAR, China.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - In an endemic area for chronic hepatitis B infection, reactivation of this virus is a serious cause of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing cytotoxic or immunosuppressive therapy. Careful prospective serological testing has shown that hepatitis B virus reactivation is a two-staged process. The initial stage occurs during intense cytotoxic or immunosuppressive therapy and is characterised by enhanced viral replication, as reflected by increases in the serum levels of hepatitis B virus DNA, hepatitis B e antigen, hepatitis B virus DNA polymerase and infection of naive hepatocytes with hepatitis B virus. The second stage is related to restoration of immune function following withdrawal of cytotoxic or immunosuppressive therapy, which causes rapid immune-mediated destruction of infected hepatocytes. Clinically, this can lead to hepatitis, hepatic failure and even death. The occurrence and severity of hepatitis B virus reactivation after various cytotoxic or immunosuppressive therapy is unpredictable and treatment has been disappointing, largely due to the late administration of therapy. Recently, pre-emptive treatment of chronic hepatitis B patients undergoing cytotoxic or immunosuppressive therapy, with potent nucleoside analogues has shown some promising results. Further controlled studies are needed to define the incidence and risk factors of hepatitis B reactivation so that pre-emptive treatment with nucleoside analogues could be administered to those patients at high risk of disease.  N. Ref:: 93

 

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[111]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - The role of newer monoclonal antibodies in renal transplantation.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplant Proc 2001 Feb-Mar;33(1-2):1000-1.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Vincenti F

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.  N. Ref:: 5

 

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[112]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Advances in the management of psoriasis: monoclonal antibody therapies.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Int J Dermatol 2002 Dec;41(12):827-35.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Mehrabi D; DiCarlo JB; Soon SL; McCall CO

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Dermatology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Psoriasis is a common skin disorder characterized by erythematous, scaling plaques. Until recently, therapies for this disease have been aimed at reducing keratinocyte proliferation. We have learned that psoriasis is not primarily a disorder of keratinocyte hyperproliferation, but is an inflammatory disease. This knowledge, especially our current understanding of the role of activated T cells in psoriasis, has led to new therapeutic options and new areas of research. Immunosuppressive agents such as cyclosporine have proven very useful in the treatment of psoriasis, but their use is limited by toxicity. Monoclonal antibodies directed against key components of the inflammatory process have been studied in an attempt to produce safer, more selective immunosuppressive agents. This review summarizes much of the available literature describing the use of monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of psoriasis.  N. Ref:: 59

 

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[113]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Immunologic risk factors for chronic renal allograft dysfunction.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplantation 2001 Jun 15;71(11 Suppl):SS17-23.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Paul LC

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Leiden University Medical School, The Netherlands.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Tissue injury is probably the central feature leading to CRAD, whether that injury is produced by immunological or nonimmunological factors. Tissue injury may expose cryptic antigens that, in an allogeneic situation, stimulate immune responses that further increase tissue damage. With acute rejection the immunological factor most strongly predictive of CRAD, HLA mismatches may facilitate rejection or otherwise lead to CRAD. However, clinical studies have not always demonstrated an increasing risk of CRAD with increased numbers of HLA mismatches. Antibodies produced against HLA or other donor-specific antigens may play a role in initiating the CRAD process or may occur secondary to tissue damage. Several human transplant studies have demonstrated an association between anti-HLA or anti-B cell antibodies and CRAD. In animal models of CRAD, antibodies are produced against antigens associated with glomerular and tubular basement membranes and mesangial cells, as well as antigens associated with vascular endothelial cells. The pathogenetic significance of these antibody responses is unclear at this time, but these responses may interfere with repair processes that follow tissue injury or otherwise facilitate mechanisms leading to CRAD. Whether similar antibody responses against components of basement membrane and mesangial cells occur in human renal transplant patients with CRAD is not yet known. The most effective way to prevent CRAD is to prevent tissue damage, especially immunity-related injury that involves maintaining appropriate immunosuppression. When using calcineurin inhibitors for immunosuppression, there is a risk of chronic calcineurin inhibitor-associated nephrotoxicity. Nonnephrotoxic immunosuppressive agents, such as sirolimus and mycophenolate mofetil, may be considered in therapeutic strategies designed to prevent acute rejection and to minimize renal tissue damage due to nephrotoxic drugs.  N. Ref:: 54

 

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[114]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Neuroimmunophilin ligands: the development of novel neuroregenerative/ neuroprotective compounds.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Curr Top Med Chem 2003;3(12):1368-75.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Gold BG; Villafranca JE

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Center for Research on Occupational and Environmental Toxicology, Developmental Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97201-3098, USA. gold@ohsu.edu

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - FK506 (tacrolimus), initially developed as an immunosuppressant drug, represents a class of compounds with potential high impact for the treatment of human neurological disorders. While immunosuppression is mediated by the 12-kD FK506-binding-protein (FKBP-12), the neurite elongation activity of FK506 involves FKBP-52 (also known as FKBP-59 or Hsp-56), a component of mature steroid receptor complexes: FKBP-52 binds to Hsp-90, which bind to p23 and the steroid receptor protein to form the complex. The brief review focuses on how three classes of compounds (FK506 derivatives, steroid hormones, and ansamycin anti-cancer drugs, e.g., geldanamycin) increase neurite elongation/nerve regeneration (axonal elongation). A model is presented whereby neurite elongation is elicited by compounds that bind to steroid receptor chaperone proteins (e.g., FKBP-52 and Hsp-90) and thereby disrupt mature steroid receptor complexes (comprising FKBP-52, Hsp-90 and p23 in addition to the steroid receptor binding protein). Disruption of the complex leads to a “gain-of-function” whereby one or more of these steroid receptor chaperone proteins (i.e, FKBP-52, Hsp-90 or p23) activates mitogen-associated protein (MAP) kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway. Thus, the neurotrophic actions of these distinct classes of compounds can be understood from their ability to bind steroid receptor chaperones, thereby providing a unique receptor-mediated means to activate the ERK pathway. These studies thereby shed new light on the intrinsic mechanism regulating axonal elongation. Furthermore, this mechanism may also underlie calcineurin-independent neuroprotective actions of FK506. We suggest that components of steroid receptor complexes are novel targets for the design of neuroregenerative/neuroprotective drugs.  N. Ref:: 98

 

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[115]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Donor specific transfusion in kidney transplantation: effect of different immunosuppressive protocols on graft outcome.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplant Proc 2001 Aug;33(5):2787-8.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Barbari A; Stephan A; Masri MA; Joubran N; Dagher O; Kamel G

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department ofNephrology and Transplantation, Rizk Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon.

 

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[116]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Sequential protocol biopsies from renal transplant recipients show an increasing expression of active TGF beta.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transpl Int 2002 Dec;15(12):630-4. Epub 2002 Oct 19.

      ●● Enlace al texto completo (gratuito o de pago) 1007/s00147-002-0472-3

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Jain S; Mohamed MA; Sandford R; Furness PN; Nicholson ML; Talbot D

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - University Department of Surgery, Leicester General Hospital, Gwendolen Road, Leicester, LE5 4PW, UK. sj34@le.ac.uk

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) is a major cause of graft loss after renal transplantation. Implicated in the pathogenesis of this complication is overproduction of the cytokine transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta). In this study we measured changes in CAN’s expression in stable patients early after transplantation, and studied links with established risk factors for CAN, such as delayed graft function, acute rejection, and cyclosporine exposure. We took biopsies from 40 renal allografts at time of transplantation (pre-perfusion), and then, using ultrasound guidance, at 1 week and 6 months after transplantation. An immunofluorescence technique was used to stain sections for active TGF beta. These were then assessed by semi-quantitative scanning laser confocal microscopy. There was very little variation in active TGF-beta expression among patients in their pre-perfusion biopsies. Expression had increased by 1 week and then very significantly by 6 months ( P<0.0001). Patients who suffered delayed graft function had increased TGF-beta expression at both time points. There was no difference regarding donor type, acute rejection, and immunosuppressive drug (cyclosporine or tacrolimus). There was no correlation between the amount of TGF-beta expression at any time-point and isotope glomerular filtration rate (GFR) at 12 months. This study demonstrated that in a group of stable renal allograft recipients, TGF-beta expression in the kidney increased after transplantation. As the study used protocol biopsies, this increase is unlikely to be due to acute events, and probably represents a genuine increase.

 

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[117]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Overview of clinical trials with new agents.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplant Proc 2001 May;33(3):2201-3.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Charpentier B; Hiesse C; Durrbach A; Ammor M; Von Ey F; Kechrid C; Kriaa F

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Nephrology Department, University Hospital of Bicetre, Kremlin Bicetre, France.  N. Ref:: 12

 

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[118]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Tailoring immunosuppressive therapy in renal transplantation.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplant Proc 2002 Sep;34(6):2478-9.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Vathsala A

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Renal Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore.  N. Ref:: 13

 

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[119]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - The macrolide immunosuppressants in dermatology: mechanisms of action.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Eur J Dermatol 2002 Nov-Dec;12(6):618-22.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Marsland AM; Griffiths CE

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Dermatology Centre, University of Manchester School of Medicine, Hope Hospital, United Kingdom. sacha.marsland@virgin.net

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Macrolides are xenobiotics, produced by soil fungi, which have immunosuppressant properties. They will probably revolutionise the treatment of inflammatory dermatoses. This article outlines the context and putative mechanisms of action of this novel class of drugs. Cyclosporin, and the structurally distinct macrolides tacrolimus and pimecrolimus (an ascomycin derivative), modulate immune-cell function by inhibiting calcineurin-dependent dephosphorylation-activation of specific nuclear factors, thus preventing transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The macrolide rapamycin (sirolimus) acts by abrogating Target of Rapamycin, a key signalling protein that controls activation of a number of proteins which direct progression of the cell cycle in response to pro-inflammatory cytokines. Tacrolimus and pimecrolimus are small enough molecules to penetrate skin and are available in topical formulations. “Skin-specific” pimecrolimus seems not to cause systemic immunosuppression when given orally. Neither topical tacrolimus nor pimecrolimus are capable of producing skin atrophy. Sirolimus has anti-angiogenic properties that may be beneficial to the treatment of psoriasis and perhaps skin cancer.  N. Ref:: 27

 

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[120]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Plant growth and the TOR pathway.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2004;279:97-113.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Menand B; Meyer C; Robaglia C

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - CEA Cadarache DSV DEVM, Laboratoire du Metabolisme Carbone, UMR 163 CNRS CEA, Univ-Mediterranee UMR 163, Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - In mammalian, insect, and yeast cells, TOR proteins are essential regulators of cell growth in response to environmental signals including nutrients, mitogens, and stresses. Although many aspects of the TOR-dependent signalling pathway are conserved between animals and fungi, important differences have also been found and are likely to be related to the ecophysiological adaptations of these organisms. The TOR protein also exists in plants. This review will first discuss specific aspects of plants concerning the contribution of cell growth to overall growth, as well as their responses to nutrient starvation, with emphasis on recent results obtained through genetic analysis in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. This is followed by the current status of the genetic analysis of the TOR gene in this plant and the search for potential members of a TOR pathway in the Arabidopsis genome.  N. Ref:: 51

 

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[121]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Gut failure and abdominal visceral transplantation.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Proc Nutr Soc 2003 Aug;62(3):727-37.

      ●● Enlace al texto completo (gratuito o de pago) 1079/PNS2003288

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Abu-Elmagd K; Bond G

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Intestinal Rehabilitation and Transplantation Center, Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. abuelmagdkm@msx.upmc.edu

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Despite the reported high survival with total parenteral nutrition (TPN) therapy for patients with intestinal failure, a considerable number of patients do not escape the potential risks of TPN-associated complications, including hepatic failure, vanishing of central venous access and line sepsis. Thus, intestinal, liver-intestinal and multivisceral transplantation have recently emerged to rescue those who can no longer be maintained on TPN. Before this development, and for nearly three decades, small-bowel transplantation was plagued with uncontrolled rejection, graft v. host disease and fatal infection. These barriers stemmed from the large gut lymphoid mass and heavy microbial load contained in the intestinal lumen. The recent improvement in survival after the clinical introduction of tacrolimus with achievement of full enteric nutritional autonomy qualified the procedure by the US Health Care Financing Administration as the standard of care for patients with intestinal and TPN failure. The decision was supported by a decade of clinical experience with cumulative improvement in patient and graft survival. In addition, the introduction of new effective immunoprophylactic agents and novel therapeutic approaches has contributed to a further increase in the therapeutic advantages of the procedure. The present review article outlines the current clinical practice of intestinal transplantation and defines new management strategies with the aim of raising the level of the procedure to be a better alternative therapy for TPN-dependent patients.  N. Ref:: 31

 

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[122]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Infectious complications in SLE after immunosuppressive therapies.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Curr Opin Rheumatol 2003 Sep;15(5):528-34.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Kang I; Park SH

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Section of Rheumatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA. insoo.kang@yale.edu

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Immunosuppressive drugs have become the gold standard for the treatment of major organ involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus. The use of immunosuppressive therapy in systemic lupus erythematosus carries significant risks for infection. This article reviews infectious complications in systemic lupus erythematosus, focusing on effects of immunosuppressive therapy. Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus appear to carry an intrinsically increased risk for infection. Recent studies support this notion further by showing increased risk for serious infections in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus who had mannose-binding lectin deficiency associated with homozygous mannose-binding lectin variant alleles. Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus who were homozygous for mannose-binding lectin variant alleles had a fourfold increase in the incidence of infections, requiring hospitalization. In terms of extrinsic risk factors for infection, use of steroids and cyclophosphamide are the strongest risk factors. The effect of these drugs on infection is also dose dependent. The incidence of infectious complications in patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil, a newly used immunosuppressive drug in systemic lupus erythematosus, appears less frequent compared with cyclophosphamide. Herpes zoster is still the most common viral infection in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus treated with cyclophosphamide and mycophenolate mofetil. Overall data indicate that patients with systemic lupus erythematosus may have intrinsically increased risks for infection that are augmented by immunosuppressive therapies. Cyclophosphamide, in particular in combination with high-dose glucocorticoids, has the strongest effect in suppressing the immune responses against microorganisms. Careful monitoring of infectious complications is warranted in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus receiving immunosuppressive therapies, in particular those on high-dose glucocorticoids and cytotoxic drugs.  N. Ref:: 87

 

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[123]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - T-cell depleting antibodies: new hope for induction of allograft tolerance in bone marrow transplantation?

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - BioDrugs 2003;17(3):147-54.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Simpson D

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - North Shore Hospital, PB 93-503, Takapuna, Auckland 1309, New Zealand. david.simpson@whl.co.nz

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Graft versus host disease (GVHD) remains the main barrier to successful allogeneic bone marrow transplant outcomes. Depletion of graft T cells is an effective way of reducing the incidence of acute and chronic GVHD, and a variety of methods have been used to achieve this depletion. Donor CD8+ T cells seem to be the critical effector cells; GVHD is reduced when the depletion process eliminates these cells, but not when CD4 cells are targeted alone. However, despite the successful reduction in GVHD, transplant outcomes are usually inferior with T-cell depleted transplants, because of increased graft failure, infections and relapse. Alternative approaches are needed. In vivo T-cell depletion, using antithymocyte globulin (ATG) as part of the conditioning regimen, seems an attractive option. Pre-transplant ATG lingers in the bone marrow to deplete engrafting donor T cells, but also depletes host T cells to prevent graft rejection and allow de-escalation of the conditioning regimen. It also avoids the need for graft manipulation with its associated costs, need for expertise and CD34+ cell loss. The efficacy of pre-transplant horse ATG remains anecdotal but it has been reported to modestly lower GVHD in single arm studies. Rabbit ATG has been studied in prospective randomised trials. There is evidence of a dose-response effect in reducing GVHD; however, there was no improvement in outcome, because of increased mortality associated with infection. In contrast, pre-transplant alemtuzumab (campath-1H) or an earlier version of this molecule (campath-1G), which target CD52+ cells, do appear to be effective in reducing both acute and chronic GVHD. There is speculation that this is not solely due to the effect of campath on T cells but that it may also be due to the elimination of host antigen-presenting cells (APC), which seem to be important in GVHD pathogenesis. Host APC are more efficient at expressing endogenous and exogenous host antigens on class I MHC to donor CD8+ cells than donor APC, which need to cross-prime exogenous antigen. Campath-1G eliminates host dendritic cells by the time of graft infusion, supporting this as a possible mechanism of action. Pre-transplant alemtuzumab has not yet been studied in a prospective randomised study, and this is required to quantify any benefit on outcome; despite this, published studies do show cause for optimism.  N. Ref:: 42

 

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[124]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Immune activation is required for the induction of liver allograft tolerance: implications for immunosuppressive therapy.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Liver Transpl 2001 Mar;7(3):161-72.

      ●● Enlace al texto completo (gratuito o de pago) 1053/jlts.2001.22321

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Bishop GA; McCaughan GW

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - A.W. Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Laboratory, Centenary Institute, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Sydney, Australia.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Liver transplants in many animal models are unusual because often they are not rejected even when transplanted across complete major histocompatibility complex barriers without immunosuppression. Their paradoxical behavior is even more obvious when the immune mechanism of acceptance is examined. Instead of acceptance resulting from a lack of immune response to the graft, the opposite occurs, and there is an unusual extensive increase in immune activation in acceptance compared with rejection. This abnormal extensive immune activation is driven by donor leukocytes transferred with the liver and results in death of the recipient cells that would normally reject the transplant. Some forms of immunosuppression inhibit this activation-associated liver transplant tolerance. The significance of these findings and possible means to design future treatment protocols for clinical transplantation that optimize management of liver transplant recipients are discussed.  N. Ref:: 97

 

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[125]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Evolution of immunosuppression and continued importance of acute rejection in renal transplantation.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Am J Kidney Dis 2001 Dec;38(6 Suppl 6):S2-9.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Chan L; Gaston R; Hariharan S

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Renal Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO 80262, USA. Larry.Chan@uchsc.edu

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - As steady improvement in short-term kidney graft survival and long-term outcomes prolongs the lives of transplant patients, responsibility for their care is shifting away from transplant specialists and into the hands of community nephrologists. Therefore, community nephrologists need to have a deeper understanding of immunosuppressive therapies than ever before. Pharmacologic immunosuppression has been continuously evolving over the past two decades. Azathioprine was introduced in the early 1960s. Introduction of cyclosporine (CsA) in 1983 revolutionized short-term outcomes after renal transplantation. The first monoclonal antibody immunosuppressant, OKT3, was introduced in 1986. The 1990s saw the introduction of a number of important new agents, including mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), tacrolimus, and a microemulsion CsA, as well as two new monoclonal antibodies. Combinations of these new agents, along with improving clinical care, have produced 1-year patient survival approaching 100% and graft survival exceeding 90%. The newest class of agents, the first of which is sirolimus, is called target of rapamycin (TOR) inhibitors and is used with CsA for maintenance therapy. Immunosuppressive drug therapy after kidney transplantation continues to evolve. There is a variety of pharmacologic combinations from which to choose, based on immunologic risk and side effect profiles. As new regimens are developed, ongoing communications between the transplant center and community nephrologists will be required to implement therapeutic changes and optimize patient care successfully.  N. Ref:: 59

 

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[126]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Decreasing side effects of Neoral through three-times-a-day protocol in Chinese renal transplant patients.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplant Proc 2001 Nov-Dec;33(7-8):3156-7.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Chen ZS; Zeng FJ; Lin ZB; Chen ZK; Sha B; Wen ZX; Ming CS; Zhang WJ; Xia SS

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Institute of Organ Transplantation, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.

 

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[127]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Influence of cyclosporin, tacrolimus and rapamycin on renal function and arterial hypertension after renal transplantation.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Nephrol Dial Transplant. Acceso gratuito al texto completo a partir de los 2 años de la fecha de publicación.

      ●● Enlace a la Editora de la Revista http://ndt.oupjournals.org/ 

      ●● Cita: Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation: <> 2001;16 Suppl 1:121-4.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Morales JM; Andres A; Rengel M; Rodicio JL

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Renal Transplant Unit, Nephrology Department, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, España.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Cyclosporin and tacrolimus have improved survival figures in organ transplantation. However, both drugs are potentially nephrotoxic. The immunosuppressive and nephrotoxic effects of both drugs appear to depend on the inhibition of calcineurin. Cyclosporin and tacrolimus cause acute (functional changes) and chronic nephrotoxicity (structural lesions in the kidney). These last important lesions include arteriolar hyalinosis, stripped interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy. It is possible that repeated episodes of renal ischaemia contribute to the development of chronic nephrotoxicity and then chronic allograft nephropathy. Cyclosporin and tacrolimus also induce arterial hypertension. Therefore, the beneficial effects of immunosuppression have been limited due to nephrotoxicity and arterial hypertension. Rapamycin, a novel immunosuppressive agent, that does not inhibit calcineurin, provides immunosuppression without nephrotoxicity. In fact, in the trials performed in Europe, sirolimus-treated immunosuppression patients exhibited a much better renal function than cyclosporin-treated patients. However, sirolimus can potentiate the nephrotoxic effect of cyclosporin. Therefore, when cyclosporin and sirolimus are used in combination, a reduction of the cyclosporin dose is desirable.  N. Ref:: 28

 

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[128]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Sirolimus-based immunosuppressive [correction of immunosuppresive] protocol for calcineurin sparing in liver transplantation.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplant Proc 2002 Aug;34(5):1522-3.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Heffron TG; Smallwood GA; Davis L; Martinez E; Stieber AC

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.

 

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[129]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Sirolimus and islet transplants.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplant Proc 2003 May;35(3 Suppl):187S-190S.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Hering BJ; Wijkstrom M

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Diabetes Institute for Immunology and Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.  N. Ref:: 36

 

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[130]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Successful treatment of refractory Langerhans cell histiocytosis with unrelated cord blood transplantation.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2001 Dec;23(9):629-32.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Nagarajan R; Neglia J; Ramsay N; Baker KS

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology/Blood and Marrow Transplant, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA. nagar003@tc.umn.edu

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - A 2-month-old girl presented for treatment with a diffuse rash, interstitial pneumonia, otorrhea, and lymphadenopathy. Skin biopsy confirmed Langerhans cell histocytosis by electron microscopy. After receiving multiple courses of chemotherapy, only marginal improvement was achieved, with progressive marrow and liver involvement. The decision was made to pursue a human leukocyte antigen-identical unrelated cord blood transplantation. Two years after transplant, the bone marrow was clear of Langerhans cell histocytosis and 100% donor engraftment. The poor prognosis of patients with an inadequate response to therapy and the presence of organ dysfunction (marrow and liver) substantiated the decision to pursue an unrelated cord blood transplantation.  N. Ref:: 20

 

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[131]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - mTOR signaling to translation.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2004;279:169-97.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Gingras AC; Raught B; Sonenberg N

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Biochemistry, McGill Cancer Centre, McGill University, 3655 Promenade Sir-William-Osler, Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1Y6, Canada.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Over the past few years, the target of rapamycin (TOR) pathway has been implicated in the control of translation, both in yeast and in higher eukaryotes. In this review, we provide an overview of translation in eukaryotes, and discuss the mechanisms and advantages of the regulation of translation. We then describe how the TOR pathway can modulate translation in yeast and in mammals, through the modulation of the phosphorylation of key translation components, and the regulation of the abundance of ribosomes and translation factors.  N. Ref:: 117

 

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[132]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Immunosuppression protocols for HLA identical renal transplant recipients.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplant Proc 2003 May;35(3):1074-5.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Keitel E; Santos AF; Alves MA; Neto JP; Schaefer PG; Bittar AE; Goldani JC; Pozza R; Bruno RM; See D; Garcia CD; Garcia VD

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Renal Transplant Unit, Santa Casa Hospital, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. keitel@terra.com.br

 

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[133]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Sirolimus in liver transplantation.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplant Proc 2003 May;35(3 Suppl):193S-200S.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Trotter JF

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Boulder, Colorado 80262, USA. James.Trotter@uchsc.edu

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Since its introduction in renal transplantation in 1999, sirolimus is being used by an increasing number of liver transplant centers. Compared to the calcineurin inhibitors, sirolimus acts through a separate signal transduction pathway and has a myriad of important biologic effects including: inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation, inhibition of fibrosis and fibroblast proliferation, and antineoplastic effects. The clinical side-effect profile of this drug is also different than calcineurin inhibitors. Most important, sirolimus does not cause glucose intolerance, hypertension, or renal insufficiency. As a result, this drug offers significant potential advantages over conventional immunosuppressive agents. However, sirolimus may cause hyperlipidemia and has also been associated with hepatic artery thrombosis in liver transplant recipients. This review will summarize the published data on sirolimus in liver transplantation, focusing on the potential advantages and disadvantage of the use of this drug in liver transplant recipients. Finally, the potential benefits of antifibrosis and antineoplastic effects of sirolimus in liver transplant recipients will be discussed.  N. Ref:: 29

 

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[134]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - The immune-suppressive effects of pain.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Adv Exp Med Biol 2003;521:117-25.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Page GG

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.  N. Ref:: 56

 

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[135]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Mycophenolate mofetil: suggested guidelines for use in kidney transplantation.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - BioDrugs 2001;15(1):37-53.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Behrend M

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Abteilung fur Viszeral- und Transplantationschirurgie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Germany. Behrend.Matthias@MH-Hannover.de

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is an immunosuppressive drug designed to inhibit inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH). IMPDH is a key enzyme in the de novo purine synthesis of lymphocytes. It is crucially important for proliferative responses of human T and B lymphocytes. The inhibition of IMPDH thus leads to selective lymphocyte suppression. After successful use in various in vitro and animal models, MMF was brought to clinical trial in patients undergoing transplantation. The drug is rapidly and completely absorbed following oral administration. Pilot studies of administration with cyclosporin and corticosteroids suggested a significant reduction in the incidence of organ rejection at dosages of 1 to 3 g/day. As a result of these studies, 3 pivotal randomised double-blind multicentre trials, involving nearly 1500 patients, were designed to investigate the effects of addition of MMF to different standard immunosuppressive protocols on the prevention of acute renal allograft rejection. After 6 months, the rates of biopsy-proven rejection were significantly reduced in patients receiving MMF. In combination with cyclosporin and corticosteroids, the adverse effect profile resembled that of azathioprine. Most adverse effects were associated with the gastrointestinal tract, the blood system and opportunistic infections. MMF offers improved immunosuppressive therapy following renal and probably other solid organ transplantation. MMF has been licensed since 1995 for the prevention of acute renal allograft rejection in most countries. It has been used in different combinations of immunosuppressive drugs and in various dosages and regimens.  N. Ref:: 124

 

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[136]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Treatment with immunotoxin.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. Acceso gratuito al texto completo a partir de los 2 años de la fecha de publicación.

      ●● Enlace a la Editora de la Revista http://www.pubs.royalsoc.ac.uk/ 

      ●● Cita: Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci: <> 2001 May 29;356(1409):681-9.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Knechtle SJ

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Surgery, Division of Organ Transplantation, 600 Highland Avenue, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison,WI 53792-7375, USA. stuart@tx.surgery.wisc.edu

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - T-cell depletion prior to or beginning at the time of transplantation has been shown to be a valuable adjunct to the induction of immunological unresponsiveness. Both total lymphoid irradiation and anti-lymphocyte globulin have been used for this purpose in experimental models of transplantation as well as in human organ transplant recipients. However, these methods of T-cell depletion are limited in their ability to deplete T cells selectively due to non-specific targeting and limited efficacy. A new anti-CD3 immunotoxin has been developed with a far more potent ability to deplete T cells selectively as measured by flow cytometry analysis of peripheral blood T lymphocytes as well as lymph node lymphocytes. This immunotoxin is well tolerated by rhesus monkeys when administered in vivo. When administered as a single immunosuppressive agent pretransplant, it substantially promotes allograft survival, inducing tolerance in at least one-third of recipients as measured by subsequent acceptance of donor skin grafts and rejection of third-party skin grafts. When administered on the day of transplant in combination with steroid pretreatment and a brief course of deoxyspergualin or mycophenolate mofetil (4 to 14 days), long-term unresponsiveness is also produced and in a more reliable manner than using immunotoxin alone. A new immunotoxin directed at the human CD3epsilon has been developed with excellent potency in T-cell killing and lacking the Fc portion of the CD3 antibody. This construct may be useful for T-cell depletion in humans and has a potential application in tolerance induction in human organ transplantation. Lessons learned from anti-CD3 immunotoxin in the non-human primate model to date include (i) profound (2-3 log) depletion of T-cells can be accomplished safely without inducing lymphoma or infection, (ii) such depletion is a useful adjunct for tolerance induction to allogeneic organ transplants, and (iii) tolerance to both allogeneic renal transplants and xenogeneic islet transplants has been accomplished using such strategies to date in non-human primates and in pigs. Immunotoxin may be useful for the induction of chimerism using strategies that include donor bone marrow infusion. Successful strategies for tolerance induction have also been developed using immunotoxin without the adjunct of donor bone marrow or stem cell infusion. Clinical application of immunotoxin will use a newly engineered construct with the potential for causing cytokine release, less susceptibility to neutralization by anti-diphtheria antibody and not dependent on chemical conjugation of an antibody and toxin. The usefulness of immunotoxin is directly related to its tremendous potency for depleting T cells. Based on results in nonhuman primates, it is anticipated that it will become a useful agent in tolerance induction in humans.  N. Ref:: 63

 

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[137]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Atopic diseases of childhood.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Curr Opin Pediatr 2001 Oct;13(5):487-95.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Turvey SE

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Division of Immunology, Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. stuart.turvey@tch.harvard.edu  N. Ref:: 102

 

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[138]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Single-agent immunosuppression after liver transplantation: what is possible?

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Drugs 2002;62(11):1587-97.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Raimondo ML; Burroughs AK

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Liver Transplantation and Hepato-Biliary Medicine, Royal Free Hospital, Hampstead, London, UK.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Orthotopic liver transplantation is a life saving and life enhancing procedure. The development of immunosuppressive drugs has contributed to the high rate of success in terms of both patient and graft survival. However, the considerable adverse effects of these therapies are affecting long-term outcomes of transplant recipients. Complications related to immunosuppression are responsible for the majority of deaths in patients surviving more than 1 year. Therefore, the search for an optimal immunosuppressive regimen has become of paramount importance. The liver has proved to be an ‘immunologically privileged’ organ, capable in several animal models to be accepted as an allograft without any intervention on the immune system of the recipient. In some human liver allografts acceptance of the new organ is recognised after withdrawal of immunosuppressants, but prior identification of such individuals is not yet possible, thus negating this management option. Graft-recipient interaction is peculiar in liver transplantation: acute cellular rejection does not always need to be treated, and if it is not severe, appears to be associated with a better survival of both patient and graft. In the last decade there has been an evolution of immunosuppressive protocols, driven by empirical observation and a deeper understanding of immunological events after transplant. However, most modifications have been made because of the necessity to reduce long-term drug related morbidity and mortality. Withdrawal of corticosteroids has proven to be safely achievable in most patients, with no deleterious effects on patient or graft survival but with a great benefit in terms of reduction of incidence of metabolic and cardiovascular complications. Long-term ‘steroid-free’ regimens are therefore now widely used. Patients with stable graft function can be easily maintained using a single drug usually after 6 or 12 months and usually with a calcineurin inhibitor. The more evolved step of using monotherapy ab initio has also proven to be effective in a few studies and needs to be explored further. In the future new strategies will be designed to help the development of tolerance of the allograft, selectively stimulating instead of suppressing the immune reaction of the recipient.  N. Ref:: 51

 

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[139]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Chronic urticaria: mechanisms and treatment.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Allergy Asthma Proc 2001 Mar-Apr;22(2):97-100.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Fox RW

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida Health Sciences Center, 13000 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., VAR 111D, Tampa, FL 63312, USA.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Chronic urticaria (CU) is a vexing clinical syndrome. The clinician is challenged by the patient’s symptoms. The experienced physician can evaluate the CU patient and prescribe effective treatment. The following review emphasizes the autoimmune mechanisms of CU. Despite this new insight into the pathogenesis of CU, many cases are still categorized as idiopathic. CU patients are a heterogenous group of patients who require an individualized approach to evaluation and management.  N. Ref:: 20

 

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[140]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Induction of donor-specific tolerance in rat hind-limb allografts under antilymphocyte serum and cyclosporine A protocol.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - J Hand Surg [Am] 2002 Nov;27(6):1095-103.

      ●● Enlace al texto completo (gratuito o de pago) 1053/jhsu.2002.36524

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Siemionow M; Oke R; Ozer K; Izycki D; Prajapati R

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Plastic Surgery, Microsurgery Research, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Composite tissue allograft (CTA) transplantation became a clinical reality despite major side effects associated with the administration of chronic immunosuppression. Development of new treatment modalities eliminating life-long immunosuppression is essential for the future of CTA transplantation. In this study, combined use of cyclosporine A (CsA) and antilymphocyte serum (ALS) was tested for the potential to induce tolerance in the rat hind-limb allograft recipients across a major histocompatibility (MHC) barrier (Lewis-Brown-Norway [LBN, RT1(l+n)] to Lewis [LEW, RT1(l)] rats). Thirty transplantations were performed in 5 experimental groups. Animals received CsA and ALS 12 hours before surgery for 21 days thereafter. Although the allograft controls rejected their limbs at day 7 combined treatment of CsA and ALS resulted in indefinite survival (over 420 d) in all allograft recipients. Long-term survivors showed 35% to 42% of donor-specific chimerism in the peripheral blood. Clinical tolerance was confirmed by acceptance of the donor-specific skin grafts and immunocompetence was confirmed by rejection of the third-party grafts. Mixed lymphocyte reaction revealed suppressed response against donor-type antigens and increased response to third-party antigens. Donor-specific tolerance across MHC barrier was induced in CTA allografts under 21 days protocol of ALS/CsA.

 

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[141]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Therapeutic drug monitoring of immunosuppressive drugs in kidney transplantation.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens 2002 Nov;11(6):657-63.

      ●● Enlace al texto completo (gratuito o de pago) 1097/01.mnh.0000040053.33359.26

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Holt DW

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Analytical Unit, St George’s Hospital Medical School, London, UK. d.holt@sghms.ac.uk

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Drug monitoring has become an accepted adjunct to optimizing therapy with immunosuppressive drugs. This review assesses publications that relate to the analytical techniques used to measure cyclosporin, tacrolimus, mycophenolic acid, sirolimus and everolimus, as well as the clinical data obtained for these drugs. For all of these drugs there has been a substantial and continuing investment in assessing the clinical value of drug monitoring. RECENT FINDINGS: Fundamental controversies still persist regarding which time point to use for monitoring. The most significant single development has been the move towards using a timed blood sample 2 h after drug administration (C2) to monitor cyclosporin therapy with the Neoral formulation. The favourable clinical results obtained with this approach have had an impact on reevaluating monitoring data for some of the other drugs. The newest drugs to reach clinical evaluation, sirolimus and everolimus, have been studied in the context of concentration-controlled dosing and there is a good rationale for their measurement. There have also been developments in the analytical techniques used, mostly to improve the selectivity of the assays or to adapt them to new monitoring strategies. SUMMARY: Interpretation of drug concentration data is becoming ever more complex in this field as the number of potential drug combinations expands. The relatively narrow therapeutic index of these agents and the ever-present risk of clinically significant pharmacokinetic drug interactions makes drug monitoring an important aspect of their prescription.  N. Ref:: 77

 

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[142]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Sirolimus (Rapamune) in renal transplantation.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens 2002 Nov;11(6):603-7.

      ●● Enlace al texto completo (gratuito o de pago) 1097/01.mnh.0000040045.55337.97

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Johnson RW

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Manchester Postgraduate Health Sciences Centre, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - There has been a necessary change in attitude to transplantation; there is much less concern with short-term outcome and more concern with long-term kidney function, overall health and quality of life. Nephrotoxicity is an invariable consequence of long-term treatment with calcineurin antagonists and it is one of the most underestimated causes of late graft loss; it has been reported as a serious threat to both patient and graft survival following heart, liver and bone marrow transplantation. Sirolimus has been shown in many recent studies to be of great value in allowing patients to be weaned from cyclosporine with excellent patient and graft survival at 24 months a significant improvement in renal function with resolution of hirsutism and gum hyperplasia. Patients maintained on the combined regime of cyclosporine and sirolimus had significantly higher blood pressure, much more cyclosporine nephrotoxicity and hyperuricaemia at 12 months. The experimental studies have found cyclosporine and sirolimus potentiate with each other’s good and adverse effects. Cyclosporine therefore augments hyperlipidaemia caused by sirolimus, and sirolimus augments nephrotoxicity caused by cyclosporine. The results of these studies indicate that sirolimus is a suitable replacement for cyclosporine or tacrolimus for long-term maintenance therapy. By contrast the use of sirolimus in combination with cyclosporine results in potentiation of side effects. The principal disadvantages being increased cyclosporine associated nephrotoxicity and sirolimus associated hyperlipidaemia  N. Ref:: 32

 

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[143]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Autoimmune hepatitis after liver transplantation and other lessons of self-intolerance.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Liver Transpl 2002 Jun;8(6):505-13.

      ●● Enlace al texto completo (gratuito o de pago) 1053/jlts.2002.33485

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Czaja AJ

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. czaja.albert@mayo.edu

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Autoimmune hepatitis has been described as recurrent or de novo disease after transplantation. The legitimacy of these diagnoses and the bases for their occurrence are unknown. To better understand these aspects of allograft dysfunction, the purported pathogenic mechanisms of classical autoimmune hepatitis were reviewed and extrapolated to recurrent and de novo disease after transplantation. Loss of self-tolerance may relate to defects in the negative selection of autoreactive immunocytes and the clonal expansion of promiscuous lymphocytes that are cross-reactive to homologous antigens (molecular mimicry). Repopulation of the allograft with recipient antigen-presenting cells and the presence of primed promiscuous cytotoxic T cells within the recipient are likely factors for recurrent disease. Targets may be the same peptides that triggered the original disease, donor-derived class II antigens of the major histocompatibility complex, or homologous antigens associated with unidentified hepatotrophic viruses. De novo disease is probably due to similar mechanisms, but its predilection for children suggests that thymic dysfunction associated with cyclosporine treatment may be a factor. Corticosteroid therapy is effective in each condition. In conclusion, recurrent and de novo autoimmune hepatitis after transplantation are examples of self-intolerance. The mechanisms that perturb immunologic homeostasis in this human model of the classical disease must be studied more rigorously.  N. Ref:: 92

 

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[144]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Immunosuppressive effect of pregnancy on autoimmune hepatitis: a case report and review of literature.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2002 Feb 10;101(1):91-2.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Malhotra B; Malhotra N; Deka D; Takkar D

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. bhawnams@hotmail.com

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - We report a case of autoimmune hepatitis with suppressed disease activity during pregnancy and relapse in puerperium. This is only the second report of such pregnancy-induced remission.  N. Ref:: 7

 

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[145]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Bone marrow transfusions in cadaver renal allografts: pilot trials with concurrent controls.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Clin Transplant 2002 Oct;16(5):317-24.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Light J; Salomon DR; Diethelm AG; Alexander JW; Hunsicker L; Thistlethwaite R; Reinsmoen N; Stablein DM

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Transplant Services, Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC 20010, USA.jimmy.a.light@medstar.net

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - BACKGROUND: The safety and immune tolerance potential of donor marrow infusion with cadaveric source renal transplants was evaluated in a series of non-randomized multicenter pilot trials by the NIH Cooperative Clinical Trials in Transplantation (CCTT) Group. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three strategies were tested: (1) immunosuppression with cyclosporin, azathioprine and prednisone with a single post-transplant day 1 infusion of 5 x 107 viable cells/kg, (2) OKT3 induction with triple drug therapy and marrow transfusion on day 1, or (3) same therapy as (2) but with an additional marrow transfusion on day 10-12. RESULTS: Thirty-eight marrow recipients and 35 contemporaneous controls were entered with a mean follow-up of over 5 yr. Graft survival was initially better in the marrow recipients than the controls but was similar after 5 yr. Microchimerism rates were similar for the marrow infusion and control groups throughout the follow-up period, regardless of the immunosuppression strategies. DISCUSSION: Bone marrow infusions were well tolerated by a group of cadaver renal allograft recipients. There were no complications from the infusion(s), no episodes of graft-vs.-host disease (GVHD) and no increase in infections or other complications. There was a trend toward early improved graft survival in marrow recipients. Decreased rejection rates were observed in black recipients.  N. Ref:: 36

 

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[146]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - An induction versus no-induction protocol in anticalcineurin-based immunosuppression using very low-dose steroids.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplant Proc 2001 Jun;33(4 Suppl):3S-10S.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Charpentier B

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - University Hospital of Bicetre, Le Kremlin-Bicetre, France.

 

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[147]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - A new immunosuppressive protocol for lung transplantation: early promising results.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplant Proc 2003 Mar;35(2):625-6.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Aravot D; Saute M; Eidelman L; Berman M; Bendayan D; Orlov B; Raanani E; Sahar G; Kogan A; Vidne B; Kramer M

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Heart-Lung Transplant Unit, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petach Tikva, Israel.

 

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[148]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Immunosuppressive therapy and post-transplantation diarrhea.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Clin Transplant 2001;15 Suppl 4:23-8.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Pescovitz MD; Navarro MT

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Surgery, Indiana University, Indianapolis, USA. mpescov@iupui.edu

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Gastrointestinal complications, including diarrhea, are among the anticipated adverse events secondary to immunosuppression. The reported overall rate of diarrhea may be affected by drug-specific effects, dose-response effects, interactions with other medications, drug formulation, the length of study follow-up, reporting bias and population characteristics such as ethnicity and baseline disease, including transplant organ type. The true incidence of diarrhea is often difficult to assess from the numerous published clinical trials. A number of deficiencies, including self-reporting, interstudy comparisons, lack of blinding, concomitant medications and a general lack of standardization and quantification of diarrhea may greatly obscure comparisons among the different immunosuppressive medications. This review considers each of these factors in assessing the overall incidence of post-transplantation diarrhea for the various immunosuppressive medications currently in use.  N. Ref:: 15

 

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[149]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Nonmyeloablative hematopoietic cell transplantation. Replacing high-dose cytotoxic therapy by the graft-versus-tumor effect.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Ann N Y Acad Sci 2001 Jun;938:328-37; discussion 337-9.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Feinstein L; Sandmaier B; Maloney D; McSweeney PA; Maris M; Flowers C; Radich J; Little MT; Nash RA; Chauncey T; Woolfrey A; Georges G; Kiem HP; Zaucha JM; Blume KG; Shizuru J; Niederwieser D; Storb R

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Avenue N., D1-100, P.O. Box 19024, Seattle, Washington 98109-1024, USA. lfeinste@fhcrc.org

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Conventional allografting produces considerable regimen-related toxicities that generally limit this treatment to patients younger than 55 years and in otherwise good medical condition. T cell-mediated graft-versus-tumor (GVT) effects are known to play an important role in the elimination of malignant disease after allotransplants. A minimally myelosuppressive regimen that relies on immunosuppression for allogeneic engraftment was developed to reduce toxicities while optimizing GVT effects. Pre-transplant total-body irradiation (200 cGy) followed by post-transplant immunosuppression with cyclosporine (CSP) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) permitted human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched sibling donor hematopoietic cell engraftment in 82% of patients (n = 55) without prior high-dose therapy. The addition of fludarabine (90 mg/m2) facilitated engraftment in all 28 subsequent patients. Overall, fatal progression of underlying disease occurred in 20% of patients after transplant. Non-relapse mortality occurred in 11% of patients. Toxicities were low. Grade 2-4 acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) associated with primary engraftment developed in 47% of patients, and was readily controlled in all but two patients. Donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) were not very effective at converting a low degree of mixed donor/host chimerism to full donor chimerism; however, the addition of fludarabine reduced the need for DLI. With a median follow-up of 244 days, 68% of patients were alive, with 42% of patients in complete remission, including molecular remissions. Remissions occurred gradually over periods of weeks to a year. If long-term efficacy is demonstrated, such a strategy would expand treatment options for patients who would otherwise be excluded from conventional allografting.  N. Ref:: 51

 

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[150]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Induction versus non-induction protocols in anti-calcineurin-based immunosuppression.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplant Proc 2001 Nov-Dec;33(7-8):3334-6.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Charpentier B

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Service de Nephrologie, University Hospital of Bicetre, Bicetre, France.

 

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[151]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Intestinal and multivisceral transplantation.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - World J Surg 2002 Feb;26(2):226-37. Epub 2001 Dec 21.

      ●● Enlace al texto completo (gratuito o de pago) 1007/s00268-001-0210-5

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Kato T; Ruiz P; Thompson JF; Eskind LB; Weppler D; Khan FA; Pinna AD; Nery JR; Tzakis AG

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Division of Transplantation, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, USA.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Intestinal transplantation has been gradually instituted in the management of intestinal failure. More than 200 cases including isolated intestinal transplant, liver/intestinal transplant, and multivisceral transplant have been performed worldwide,with 1-year graft and patient survival rates of 66% and 54%,respectively. Indications for the procedure include short bowel syndrome and functional abnormalities secondary to a variety of diseases or conditions. Tacrolimus-based immunosuppression regimens have been used universally with improved outcomes. The major contributors to the morbidity and mortality include rejection,infection, and technical complications. Of those, control of rejection remains the most difficult dilemma and it will be the key to improved patient and graft survival.  N. Ref:: 60

 

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[152]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Options for induction immunosuppression in liver transplant recipients.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Drugs 2002;62(7):995-1011.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Moser MA

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Multi-Organ Transplant Program, London Health Sciences Center, 339 Windermere Road, London, Ontario N6A 5A5, Canada.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Immunosuppression administered in the early postoperative period following liver transplantation plays a crucial role in the survival of the graft and the patient. The introduction of cyclosporin was an important landmark in transplantation, and to this day, calcineurin inhibitors form the basis of most induction immunosuppression regimens. New drugs are being developed which are more specifically targeted to prevention of rejection, and multiple drug combinations have been proposed as a means of reducing the adverse effects of individual drugs. Azathioprine and the newer antimetabolite mycophenolate mofetil have been added to calcineurin inhibitor-based regimens with varying amounts of success. Antibody induction has evolved as a potent form of immunosuppression as well as a means of avoiding certain adverse effects, particularly nephrotoxicity. The numerous adverse effects encountered with polyclonal preparations have been reduced with the development of more specific monoclonal antibodies such as muromonab CD3 (OKT3) or interleukin (IL)-2 receptor (IL-2R) antagonists. The anti-IL-2R antibody preparations basiliximab and daclizumab have shown excellent early results due to their potent yet highly targeted immunosuppressive effect and minimal adverse effects. Further study is needed to determine the most appropriate dosage, timing and patient population for these new drugs in the setting of liver transplantation. Although a number of different induction regimens have been described, no single protocol is suitable for all liver transplant recipients. Rather, certain regimens have advantages that could favour their use in a specific subgroup of patients. A number of clinical trials are underway to identify new, more specific drugs and combinations which could be useful in induction immunosuppression.  N. Ref:: 46

 

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[153]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Structures of immunophilins and their ligand complexes.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Curr Top Med Chem 2003;3(12):1392-409.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Dornan J; Taylor P; Walkinshaw MD

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Structural Biochemistry, The University of Edinburgh, Michael Swann Building, King’s Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3JR, Scotland, UK. M.WALKINSHAW@ed.ac.uk

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - This review includes an analysis of available X-ray and NMR structures of both members of the immunophilin family; cyclophilins and the FK-506 binding proteins (FKBPs). Available structures are compared and contrasted to highlight different structural features seen both within and between species. Each immunophilin family has been structurally characterised with a variety of small molecule ligands, principally immunosuppressive drugs and their analogues and an overview of these complexes is also presented. Currently the Protein Data Base contains over 60 entries for cyclophilins and over 40 entries for FKBPs. A number of FKBP related structures are also available including structures of MIP (Macrophage Infectivity Potentiator protein) from Legionella pneumophila and Trypanosoma cruzi and Trigger Factor from Mycoplasma genitalium. For all structures discussed in the review a summary of the available biological data is also presented.  N. Ref:: 106

 

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[154]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Transplant immunology.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - J Pediatr Surg 2003 Sep;38(9):1275-80.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Aw MM

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Paediatrics and Liver Transplant Unit, National University Hospital, Singapore.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - The immune response to an allogeneic transplanted organ is T-cell dependent. It is governed partially by the context in which the T-cell encounters the antigen and can range from apoptosis, anergy, and neglect to full activation. The current armamentarium of immunosuppressive agents acts to inhibit the various steps of this T-cell activation pathway; at the level of the T-cell receptor (monoclonal antibodies such as OKT3), intracellular signally (calcineurine-inhibitors), DNA synthesis (azathioprine), or to cause lymphocyte depletion (ATG, ALG). Most protocols use a combination of agents for induction and maintenance immunosuppression. Although successful in preventing and treating allograft rejection, they are not without side effects. With improved patient and graft survival rates, adverse events such as hypertension, nephrotoxicity, hyperglycaemia, and lymphoproliferative disease become increasingly important issues. Newer drugs (IL-2 receptor antagonists, mycophenolate mofetil, rapamycin) have been introduced in an attempt to spare or avoid these adverse effects. Inducing graft tolerance and long-term drug-free survival is the goal of transplant immunologists. Postulated mechanisms include clonal deletion, anergy, and immunoredirection. Although a number of methods have been tested experimentally, none has been proven to induce tolerance for routine clinical use. Immunosuppression remains the cornerstone of the success of organ transplantation. Until investigators are able to induce tolerance in their transplant recipients or develop a tolerance assay, they would need to continue to tailor their immunosuppressive therapy according to the risk profile of the individual recipient.  N. Ref:: 38

 

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[155]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Novel therapies for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens 2001 Mar;10(2):211-7.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Tervaert JW; Stegeman CA; Kallenberg CG

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - University Hospital Maastricht, Department of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Maastricht, the Netherlands. jw.cohentervaert@immuno.unimaas.nl

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - High-dose corticosteroids in combination with cytotoxic drugs are universally accepted as the initial approach in vasculitides that are associated with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies. Cyclophosphamide is the most effective cytotoxic drug and is used in more severe cases. Because cyclophosphamide has more severe short- and long-term side-effects than methotrexate, methotrexate is used in less severe cases. New prospects for the treatment of vasculitis include novel immunosuppressive agents (e.g. mycophenolate, 15-deoxyspergualin, and leflunomide), sequential chemotherapy (e.g. cyclophosphamide followed by azathioprine or cyclophosphamide followed by methotrexate), intravenous immunoglobulin, tumour necrosis factor-alpha directed therapy, anti-lymphocyte directed therapy (e.g. antithymocyte globulin or anti CD52/anti CD4 antibodies), anti-adhesion molecule directed therapy (e.g. anti-CD18 or intercellular adhesion molecule-1 antisense) or immunoablation using high-dose cytotoxic medication with or without stem cell rescue.  N. Ref:: 60

 

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[156]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Role of anti-interleukin-2 receptor antibodies in kidney transplantation.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - BioDrugs 2001;15(10):655-66.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Cibrik DM; Kaplan B; Meier-Kriesche HU

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-0704, USA. dcibrik@umich.edu

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - From the early 1960s, the mainstay of immunosuppression for kidney transplantation has been corticosteroids. Since then, many new drugs have been developed to maintain the renal allograft. Current maintenance immunosuppression commonly consists of corticosteroids, antiproliferative agents and calcineurin inhibitors (e.g. cyclosporin). More recently, antihuman antibodies, either monoclonal or polyclonal, have been developed to use for induction at the time of transplantation or to treat rejection. With the advances in molecular technology, a new class of antihuman antibodies [the anti-interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) antibodies] has emerged that incorporate a murine antigen-binding site on to a human immunoglobulin backbone. Such methodology creates antihuman antibodies with high affinity for the epitope and with prolonged serum antibody half-lives. Interleukin-2 and its receptor are central to lymphocyte activation and are the main targets of calcineurin inhibitors. In addition, the anti-IL-2R antibodies inhibit a key target in immune activation. Daclizumab and basiliximab have been shown to significantly reduce the incidence of acute rejection in kidney transplantation. Since these anti-IL-2R antibodies are well tolerated and since calcineurin inhibitors are intrinsically nephrotoxic, anti-IL-2R antibodies have been used in an attempt to avoid cyclosporin after transplantation. Data from clinical trials seem to indicate that the addition of an anti-IL-2R antibody is not sufficient to warrant complete withdrawal of calcineurin inhibitors for more than a very short period after transplantation. A more promising role for anti-IL-2R antibodies may be in renal transplant recipients with delayed graft function (DGF). Recent data on the use of either low-dose calcineurin inhibitors or sirolimus (rapamycin) in conjunction with the anti-IL-2R antibodies for patients with DGF showed no increased risk of acute rejection. Long-term graft survival with use of these low-dose calcineurin inhibitor protocols has yet to be established.  N. Ref:: 41

 

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[157]

- Castellano -

TÍTULO / TITLE:Medicamentos inmunosupresores en la esclerosis multiple. Immunosuppressive medication in multiple sclerosis.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Rev Neurol. Acceso gratuito al texto completo.

      ●● Enlace a la Editora de la Revista http://www.revneurol.com/LinkOut/formMedLine.asp?Refer=2003226&Revista=Revneurol 

      ●● Cita: Revista de Neurologia: <> 2002 Dec 16-31;35(12):1154-8.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Garcia Merino JA

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Servicio de Neurologia, Clinica Puerta del Hierro, Madrid, España. gmerino@meditex.es

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Immunosuppressive drugs have been used for decades in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. The recent availability of immunomodulators has caused a major change in the treatment of this disease, but has not meant the disappearance of the use of immunosuppressive drugs, some of which (such as mitoxantrone) have been introduced recently. At present, it is difficult to assess the precise indications for these drugs, since most efficacy studies were made before the availability of magnetic resonance imaging, on criteria which are now considered obsolete. Independently of their value in monotherapy, immunosuppressants may probably be useful in combination with immunomodulators. We review the experience with the most widely used immunosuppressants and mention those drugs which might be used in the near future.  N. Ref:: 36

 

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[158]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Rejection-free protocol using sirolimus-tacrolimus combination for pediatric renal transplant recipients.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplant Proc 2002 Aug;34(5):1942-3.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - El-Sabrout R; Weiss R; Butt F; Delaney V; Qadir M; Hanson P; Butt K

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Departments of Transplantation/Vascular Surgery, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA.

 

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[159]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - The development of immunosuppression: the rapamycin milestone.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplant Proc 2003 May;35(3 Suppl):15S-17S.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Calne RY

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, Addenbrook Hospital, Cambridge, UK.  N. Ref:: 22

 

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[160]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Transcriptional reprogramming during T helper cell differentiation.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Immunol Res 2001;23(2-3):193-204.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Aune TM

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA. thomas.aune@mcmail.vanderbilt.edu

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Our laboratory employs reporter transgenic mice as model systems to study the transcriptional reprogramming that accompanies T helper cell differentiation. These studies demonstrate that changes in the activity of simple transcriptional elements associated with the IFN-gamma gene can recapitulate alterations in gene expression. In addition, our studies have revealed a key role for the transcription factor, CAMP response element binding protein (CREB), in the protection of differentiating T cells from apoptosis. Together, these findings further our understanding of the logic employed by T cells to alter gene expression profiles in response to differentiation signals.  N. Ref:: 49

 

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[161]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - In utero exposure to immunosuppressive drugs: experimental and clinical studies.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Pediatr Nephrol 2002 Feb;17(2):121-30.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Tendron A; Gouyon JB; Decramer S

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Hopital d’Enfants, Service de Neonatologie, 10 boulevard Mal de Lattre de Tassigny, 21034 Dijon Cedex, France. anais.tendron@planetb.fr

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Over the last few decades, the number of pregnant women under immunosuppressive (IS) therapy following transplantation or autoimmune diseases has increased. At first, IS drugs, including prednisone, azathioprine, and cyclosporine A were used, but now new molecules such as tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil have appeared. These IS drugs cross the placental barrier and enter into the fetal circulation, which poses a risk for fetal development. Experimental data have shown that IS drugs often have deleterious effects on fetuses, while human data have reported an increased rate of abortion, prematurity, intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), and low birth weight, without significant increases in malformation rates. However, only limited information is available about the newly used molecules. Although fetal and neonatal data are reassuring, long-term effects of IS drugs on fertility, immune response and renal function, as well as the consequences of prematurity and IUGR, should be monitored.  N. Ref:: 78

 

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[162]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Good fungi gone bad: the corruption of calcineurin.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Bioessays 2002 Oct;24(10):894-903.

      ●● Enlace al texto completo (gratuito o de pago) 1002/bies.10157

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Fox DS; Heitman J

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Calcineurin is a Ca(2+)/calmodulin-activated protein phosphatase that is conserved in eukaryotes, from yeast to humans, and is the conserved target of the immunosuppressive drugs cyclosporin A (CsA) and FK506. Genetic studies in yeast and fungi established the molecular basis of calcineurin inhibition by the cyclophilin A-CsA and FKBP12-FK506 complexes. Calcineurin also functions in fungi to control a myriad of physiological processes including cell cycle progression, cation homeostasis, and morphogenesis. Recent investigations into the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis in Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans, two fungi that cause life-threatening infections in humans, have revealed an essential role for calcineurin in morphogenesis, virulence, and antifungal drug action. Novel non-immunosuppressive analogs of the calcineurin inhibitors CsA and FK506 that retain antifungal activity have been identified and hold promise as candidate antifungal drugs. In addition, comparisons of calcineurin function in both fungi and humans may identify fungal-specific components of calcineurin-signaling pathways that could be targeted for therapy, as well as conserved elements of calcium signaling events.  N. Ref:: 88

 

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[163]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - The limitations of calcineurin and mTOR inhibitors: new directions for immunosuppressive strategies.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplant Proc 2002 Feb;34(1):130-3.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Kahan BD

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Division of Organ Transplantation, Department of Surgery, The University of Texas Medical School, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.  N. Ref:: 76

 

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[164]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Cardiovascular toxicities of immunosuppressive agents.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Am J Transplant 2002 Oct;2(9):807-18.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Miller LW

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Cardiovascular Division, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA. mille278@tc.umn.edu

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Cardiovascular disease is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality following solid organ transplantation. Many of the current immunosuppressive drugs are associated with an increase of one or more risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis. This review compares the mechanism by which individual immunosuppressive agents may impact on these risk factors and the differential contribution of cyclosporine, tacrolimus, mycophenolate, azathioprine, and Rapamycin to these individual risk factors. Attention to the potential cardiovascular toxicities of individual immunosuppressive agents may help design strategies for maintenance of immunosuppression tailored to individual patients.  N. Ref:: 139

 

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[165]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Intracranial hemorrhage in neuro-Behcet’s syndrome.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Intern Med 2002 Sep;41(9):692-5.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Kikuchi S; Niino M; Shinpo K; Terae S; Tashiro K

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Neurology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - OBJECTIVE: Most cerebrovascular disturbances in Behcet’s syndrome are occlusive in nature, while hemorrhage is rare. In this paper, we report three cases of neuro-Behcet’s syndrome presenting with intracerebral hemorrhaging, and discuss the possible causes as they relate to cyclosporine treatment. PATIENTS: Three cases of neuro-Behcet’s syndrome presented with intracranial hemorrhage. One patient had been taking cyclosporine, and the other two patients had never taking cyclosporine. RESULTS: Together with previous reports, these cases suggest that there are two types of intracranial hemorrhage in neuro-Behcet’s syndrome. One type occurs in the center of a lesion and during the acute phase of the disease, while the other occurs in the peripheral lesion and during the subacute phase. CONCLUSIONS: It appears that the intracranial hemorrhages in neuro-Behcet’s syndrome can be divided into two groups. It is possible that the vascular pathologies caused by Behcet’s syndrome and by cyclosporine conspire to induce CNS hemorrhaging in some cases.  N. Ref:: 19

 

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[166]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Endocrine aspects of neurosarcoidosis.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - J Endocrinol Invest 2002 Jul-Aug;25(7):650-62.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Murialdo G; Tamagno G

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Endocrinological and Metabolic Sciences, University of Genova, Italy. gmurialdo@unige.it

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - The involvement of the hypothalamus and/or pituitary gland by granulomatous, infiltrative or autoimmune diseases is a rare condition of non-tumoral-non-vascular acquired hypothalamic dysfunction and hypopituitarism. In this paper, we present the case of a 26-year-old woman, who showed an amenorrhea-galactorrhea syndrome with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism due to an isolated hypothalamic-peduncular localization of neurosarcoidosis. Acquired GH deficiency was also demonstrated. This clinical case provided the opportunity for a review of the endocrine aspects linked to brain infiltrative diseases that may affect the hypothalamic-pituitary function, with a focus upon neurosarcoidosis. Sarcoidosis is a pathogen-free granulomatous disease that affects both the central and peripheral nervous system in 5-16% of patients. In most cases, such involvement by sarcoidosis occurs within a multi-systemic disease, but disease localization limited to the nervous system may also be observed. Endocrine manifestations of neurosarcoidosis disclose “chameleon-like” clinical pictures, which are usually expressed by the evidence of hypothalamic dysfunction, diabetes insipidus, adenopituitary failure, amenorrhea-galactorrhea syndrome, in isolated fashion or variedly combined. More rarely, inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone secretion, isolated secondary hypothyroidism, adrenal insufficiency or altered counter-regulation of glucose homeostasis have been reported. Neurosarcoidosis is often hard to diagnose, especially when the neurological localization of the disease is not accompanied by other systemic localizations or by specific signs of the disease, and when the lesion is too deep to obtain bioptic confirmation. The study of cerebrospinal fluid and blood lymphocyte sub-populations, integrated by MRI and nuclear scans (67GalIium uptake and 111Indium-pentetreotide, Octreoscan), may be helpful for a correct diagnosis. Therapy with corticosteroid and immunosuppressive drugs, such as cyclosporine A, and other treatment approaches to neurosarcoidosis are also accounted for.  N. Ref:: 111

 

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[167]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Acquired anti-FVIII inhibitors in children.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Haemophilia 2002 Jan;8(1):28-32.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Moraca RJ; Ragni MV

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - The Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, PA, USA.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Acquired inhibitors to FVIII (anti-FVIII) are uncommon in children. An acquired anti-FVIII developed in a previously healthy 4-year-old boy treated with penicillin for streptococcal pharyngitis. Aspirin prophylaxis begun for suspected rheumatic fever led to compartment syndromes of all four extremities, which resolved with high-dose FVIII and surgical decompression. Anti-FVIII in this patient, and the five additional cases identified in a survey of 160 haemophilia treatment centres, occurred at a median age of 8 years, with median initial and peak titres of 4.6 and 6.9 Bethesda Units (BU), respectively. All six presented with bleeding, including haematomas (three intramuscular, one intracranial), and ecchymoses in three. The median baseline FVIII was 0.05 U mL(-1), and the median baseline activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) was 79.8 s. The inhibitor resolved completely in five patients (83%) within a median 5 months, after treatment with FVIII concentrate, steroids, cytoxan, methotrexate, and no treatment. The inhibitor persisted in the patient with Goodpasture’s disease, despite steroids, cytoxan, cyclosporin, and intravenous gamma globulin. Aspirin therapy, in two, worsened ongoing bleeding. The association of penicillin-like drugs in this and three other cases in the literature suggest that to avoid potential catastrophic bleeding, it is prudent to obtain an APTT prior to initiating aspirin for suspected rheumatic fever. In conclusion, acquired anti-FVIII inhibitors in children may cause severe bleeding, and remit in the majority after FVIII and/or immunosuppressive therapy.  N. Ref:: 21

 

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[168]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Drug-nutrient interactions in transplant recipients.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr 2001 May-Jun;25(3):132-41.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Chan LN

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Pharmacy Practice & Medicine, Colleges of Pharmacy and Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 60612, USA. neander@uic.edu

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Drug-nutrient interaction refers to an alteration of kinetics or dynamics of a drug or a nutritional element, or a compromise in nutritional status as a result of the addition of a drug. The potentials for drug-nutrient interaction increase with the number of drugs taken by the patient. Organ transplant recipients are therefore at high risk for drug-nutrient interactions because multiple medications are used to manage graft rejection, opportunistic infections, and other associated complications. Unrecognized or unmanaged drug-nutrient interactions in this patient population can have an adverse impact on their outcomes. This paper reviews the importance of recognizing drug-nutrient interaction when using cyclosporine-based regimens.  N. Ref:: 74

 

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[169]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Advances in composite tissue allograft transplantation as related to the hand and upper extremity.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - J Hand Surg [Am] 2002 Jul;27(4):565-80.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Siemionow M; Ozer K

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Plastic Surgery, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, A60, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - The clinical transplantation of composite tissue allografts (CTA) such as human hand or larynx is stimulating discussions among surgeons at national and international forums on the indications, ethical aspects, toxic effects of immunosuppression, and functional results of the first reported cases of unilateral and bilateral hand transplantation. This Clinical Perspective article presents the latest advances in clinical and experimental research related to the field of CTAs. The article presents the historic aspects of CTA, a broad view of the current state of composite tissue transplantation, the mechanism of allograft rejection, current experimental and clinical protocols, and, finally, the future prospects of the standard use of CTAs. It is clear that there is a substantial demand for routine use of CTAs but the treatment protocols need to be optimized and the functional outcomes need to be improved.  N. Ref:: 125

 

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[170]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in a cardiac transplant recipient.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Tex Heart Inst J. Acceso gratuito al texto completo.

      ●● Enlace a la Editora de la Revista http://texasheartinstitute.org/journal.html 

      ●● Cita: Texas Heart Institute Journal: <> 2001;28(3):203-7.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - McMullan DM; Radovaneevic B; Jackow CM; Frazier OH; Duvic M

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Texas Heart Institute and St Luke s Episcopal Hospital Houston, 77225-0345, USA.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Mycosis fungoides, an uncommon form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, arises in the skin and frequently progresses to generalized lymphadenopathy Although the cause of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is unknown, chronic immunosuppression may play a role. A few cases have been reported in renal transplant recipients; however, ours appears to be the 1st report of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in a cardiac transplant recipient. In our patient, cutaneous manifestations of the disease were noted less than 1 year after transplantation. Seven years after transplantation, Sezary syndrome, a variant form of mycosis fungoides, was diagnosed by tissue biopsy and flow cytometry analysis. Photopheresis improved symptoms but was not well tolerated because of hemodynamic sequelae. Psoralen and ultraviolet A therapy also improved the patient’s skin condition, but a generalized lymphadenopathy developed. The maintenance immunosuppressive regimen was changed from cyclosporine (3 mg/kg/day) and azathioprine to cyclosporine (1.5 mg/kg/day) and cyclophosphamide. Although effective in the short-term, the results of this therapeutic strategy could not be fully evaluated because the patient died of acute myocardial infarction.  N. Ref:: 25

 

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[171]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Neurotrauma/neurodegeneration and mitochondrial dysfunction.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Prog Brain Res 2002;137:171-6.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Frantseva M; Perez Velazquez JL; Tonkikh A; Adamchik Y; Carlen PL

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Toronto Western Research Institute, Room 12-413, Hospital for Sick Children, Department of Neurology, Toronto, Canada.  N. Ref:: 47

 

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[172]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Macrophage activation syndrome.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Curr Opin Rheumatol 2002 Sep;14(5):548-52.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Ravelli A

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Pediatria II, Istituto G. Gaslini, Universita di Genova, Italy. angeloravelli@ospedale-gaslini.ge.it

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a serious complication of childhood systemic inflammatory disorders that is thought to be caused by excessive activation and proliferation of T lymphocytes and macrophages. Recent findings in hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, a disease that is clinically similar to MAS, highlight the possible pathogenetic role of a defective function of perforin, a protein involved in the cytolytic processes and control of lymphocyte proliferation. Although the clinical features of MAS have been well documented, early diagnosis can be difficult. Measurement of the serum ferritin level may assist in the diagnosis and may be a useful indicator of disease activity, therapy response, and prognosis. The recognition that MAS belongs to the secondary or reactive hemophagocytic syndromes has led to the proposal to rename it according to the contemporary classification of histiocytic disorders. Cyclosporin A has been found effective in patients with corticosteroid-resistant MAS. A recent report has suggested that etanercept may be a useful adjunctive therapeutic agent.  N. Ref:: 35

 

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[173]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - In utero exposure to immunosuppressive drugs.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Biol Neonate 2002;81(2):73-81.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Prevot A; Martini S; Guignard JP

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Nephrology Unit, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland. prevotanne@hotmail.com

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - The number of pregnant women receiving immunosuppressants for anti-rejection therapy or autoimmune diseases is increasing. All immunosuppressive drugs cross the placenta, raising questions about the long-term outcome of the children exposed in utero. There is no higher risk of congenital anomalies. However, an increased incidence of prematurity, intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and generally low birth weight has been reported, as well as maternal hypertension and preeclampsia. The most frequent neonatal complications are those associated with prematurity and IUGR, as well as adrenal insufficiency with corticosteroids, immunological disturbances with azathioprine and cyclosporine, and hyperkalemia with tacrolimus. The long-term follow-up of infants exposed to immunosuppressants in utero is still limited and experimental studies raise the question whether there could be an increased incidence at adult age of some pathologies including renal insufficiency, hypertension and diabetes.  N. Ref:: 58

 

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[174]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Immunologic targets for currently available immunosuppressive agents: what is the optimal approach for children?

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Semin Nephrol 2001 Sep;21(5):508-20.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Sho M; Samsonov DV; Briscoe DM

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - In this review, the authors discuss immunologic targets and events in T cells that are dysregulated by commonly used immunosuppressive agents. These include a description of glucocortcoid receptors as well as targets of glucocorticoids, targets of cyclosporine and FK506, and the mammalian target of rapamycin. In addition, novel antibody-based targets on T cells and antigen-presenting cells including the IL-2 receptor and costimulatory molecules are described. Finally, the authors provide a rationale for an optimal approach to immunosuppression in pediatrics. Because many of the newer immunosuppressive agents are currently in clinical trials, the “optimal” immunosuppressive strategy for the next decade is forthcoming.  N. Ref:: 122

 

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[175]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Safety of the new macrolide immunomodulators.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Semin Cutan Med Surg 2001 Dec;20(4):242-9.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Robinson N; Singri P; Gordon KB

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - With the wide acceptance of cyclosporine in the treatment of skin disease, there has been an effort to find new immunomodulating agents with superior safety profiles for use in dermatology. Among the most promising of the classes are the new macrolide immunomodulators, including tacrolimus and pimecrolimus. Of these, only tocrolimus has had widespread use for nondermatologic indications, primarily solid organ transplantation. Both of these agents have been studied for inflammatory diseases of the skin. In this article, we review the systemic and topical toxicities of these macrolide immunomodulators.  N. Ref:: 68

 

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[176]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Intensive care and immediate follow-up of children after renal transplantation.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplant Proc 2001 Aug;33(5):2821-4.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Seikaly MG; Sanjad SA

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, Nephrology Office, Dallas, Texas, USA.  N. Ref:: 16

 

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[177]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Neurotoxicity of immunosuppressive drugs.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Liver Transpl 2001 Nov;7(11):937-42.

      ●● Enlace al texto completo (gratuito o de pago) 1053/jlts.2001.27475

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Wijdicks EF

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. wijde@mayo.edu

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - The clinical profile of neurotoxicity caused by immunosuppression has changed. When toxic levels are reached, both cyclosporine and tacrolimus may produce a clinical spectrum that varies from tremor and acute confusional state to status epilepticus and major speech or language abnormalities. Coma has become an unusual manifestation. Magnetic resonance imaging has been better defined, and abnormalities may be more widespread than those in the posterior lobes. These white matter lesions are caused by vasogenic edema, but may lead to apoptosis and cytotoxic edema if exposure is prolonged. Recent evidence suggests inhibition of a drug-efflux pump and dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier by enhanced nitric oxide production.  N. Ref:: 50

 

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[178]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Signalling pathways in cardiac myocyte hypertrophy.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Ann Med 2001 Dec;33(9):611-22.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Sugden PH

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - National Heart and Lung Institute Division, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, UK. p.sugden@ic.ac.uk

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - In response to a requirement for increased contractile power in vivo, mammalian cardiac myocytes adapt through a hypertrophic response (cell enlargement in the absence of cell division). This response can be simulated by exposing isolated myocytes in primary culture to alpha-adrenergic agonists or the vasoactive peptide, endothelin-1. The signalling pathways responsible for hypertrophic growth have been actively studied, and it is likely that reversible protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation are involved. Three signalling pathways show particular potential as regulators of the response, ie protein kinase C (PKC), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades, and calcineurin. These species are thought to regulate the rate and specificity of gene transcription ultimately through modifying the transactivating activity of nuclear transcription factors. There are three pertinent MAPK cascades, the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) cascade, the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK or SAPK1) cascade, and the p38-MAPK (SAPK2-5) cascade. PKC participates in the activation of the ERK cascade but does not contribute significantly to the activation of the two remaining cascades. Calcineurin (or protein phosphatase 2B) is activated by increases in [Ca2+i] through the [Ca2+]-sensing protein, calmodulin. In this review, I discuss the evidence for and against the involvement of these signalling proteins in the induction of myocyte hypertrophy and emphasize that the ERK cascade should perhaps feature more widely in the collective consciousness.  N. Ref:: 136

 

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[179]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Cyclosporin A as a model antigen: immunochemical and structural studies.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - J Mol Recognit 2002 Sep-Oct;15(5):277-85.

      ●● Enlace al texto completo (gratuito o de pago) 1002/jmr.588

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Altschuh D

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - UMR 7100 - CNRS/ULP ‘Biotechnologie des Interactions Moleculaires’, Ecole Superieure de Biotechnologie de Strasbourg, Pole API, Bld Sebastien Brandt, 67400 Illkirch, France. daniele.altschuh@esbs.u-strasbg.fr

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - The immunosuppressant drug cyclosporin (Cs) A is a cyclic undecapeptide which has been used as a model antigen because structural information and a large number of analogs, modified at each of its 11 positions, were available. This review summarizes immunochemical and crystallographic studies of the interaction between the Fab of monoclonal antibody R45-45-11 and Cs. Three points are discussed: (1) the different conformations of CsA and the question of its biologically active form; (2) the Fab-CsA recognition mechanism; and (3) the relationship between structure and binding properties of CsA analogs.  N. Ref:: 50

 

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[180]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Neurotoxicology of the brain barrier system: new implications.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 2001;39(7):711-9.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Zheng W

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, USA. wz18@columbia.edu

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - The concept of a barrier system in the brain has existed for nearly a century. The barrier that separates the blood from the cerebral interstitial fluid is defined as the blood-brain barrier, while the one that discontinues the circulation between the blood and cerebrospinal fluid is named the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier. Evidence in the past decades suggests that brain barriers are subject to toxic insults from neurotoxic chemicals circulating in blood. The aging process and some disease states render barriers more vulnerable to insults arising inside and outside the barriers. The implication of brain barriers in certain neurodegenerative diseases is compelling, although the contribution of chemical-induced barrier dysfunction in the etiology of any of these disorders remains poorly understood. This review examines what is currently understood about brain barrier systems in central nervous system disorders by focusing on chemical-induced neurotoxicities including those associated with nitrobenzenes, N-methyl-D-aspartate, cyclosporin A, pyridostigmine bromide, aluminum, lead, manganese, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine, and 3-nitropropionic acid. Contemporary research questions arising from this growing understanding show enormous promises for brain researchers, toxicologists, and clinicians.  N. Ref:: 72

 

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[181]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Homocysteine levels among transplant recipients: effect of immunosuppressive protocols.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplant Proc 2001 Sep;33(6):2945-6.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Mor E; Helfmann L; Lustig S; Bar-Nathan N; Yussim A; Sela BA

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Transplantation, Rabin Medical Center, Petach-Tikva, Israel.

 

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[182]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Revascularization and microcirculation of freely grafted islets of Langerhans.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - World J Surg 2001 Apr;25(4):509-15. Epub 2001 Apr 11.

      ●● Enlace al texto completo (gratuito o de pago) 1007/s002680020345

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Menger MD; Yamauchi J; Vollmar B

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Institute for Clinical and Experimental Surgery, University of Saarland, D-66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - A considerable number of experimental studies have demonstrated that the reestablishment of an appropriate microvascular supply is an essential prerequisite for successful pancreatic islet transplantation. Freely transplanted islets show the first signs of angiogenesis (i.e., capillary sprout formation and protrusion) as early as 2 days after transplantation, and the entire vascularization process is completed after 10 to 14 days. Cryopreservation and culture of the isolated islets before transplantation and hyperglycemia of the transplant recipient seem not to affect the vascularization process essentially. In addition, immunosuppressive drugs, such as cyclosporin A and 15-deoxyspergualin, do not or only slightly inhibit revascularization of syngeneic islets; however, they are not able to prevent completely xenograft-induced microvascular perfusion failure. In contrast, novel immunosuppressants (e.g., RS-61443) or dietary supplementation of the antioxidant vitamin E were shown to prevent microvascular graft rejection almost completely, including leukocyte recruitment and capillary perfusion failure. Thus the development of novel strategies to improve posttransplant islet function should include concepts that accelerate the vascularization process and protect the newly formed microvasculature from rejection-mediated injury. The improvement of islet graft vascularization and the maintenance of adequate microvascular perfusion will contribute to the increased success of pancreatic islet transplantation.  N. Ref:: 91

 

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[183]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - A view on beta cell transplantation in diabetes.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Ann N Y Acad Sci 2002 Apr;958:69-76.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Pipeleers D; Keymeulen B; Chatenoud L; Hendrieckx C; Ling Z; Mathieu C; Roep B; Ysebaert D

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium. Daniel.Pipeleers@vub.ac.be

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Organ donors also offer a source of insulin-producing tissue that might be used for the treatment of diabetes. Clinical protocols for transplantation of this tissue aim for the prevention of chronic diabetes complications without introducing new serious side effects. Pancreas and islet cell transplantation are discussed in this perspective. The future of islet cell implants looks favorable but depends on finding ways to induce immune tolerance to the donor beta cells. Clinical trials can take advantage of relevant progress in animal models. In a limited study, recipient treatment with antilymphocyte antibodies and culture of donor cell preparations appeared useful to induce a state of operational immune tolerance in type 1 diabetic patients, as indirectly judged by graft survival and by analysis of auto- and alloreactivities in recipients. Use of cultured beta cell preparations also allows donor cell recruitment from suboptimal donor organs and increases the degree of standardization and quality control of islet cell grafts. The future of these grafts will depend on the development of techniques for the neogenesis of beta cells.  N. Ref:: 47

 

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[184]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Overview of side effects of immunosuppressive therapy.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplant Proc 2001 May;33(3):2089-91.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Paul LC

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Nephrology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.  N. Ref:: 21

 

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[185]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Molecular and cellular mechanisms of donor cell-induced tolerance.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Immunol Res 2002;26(1-3):119-29.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - George JF; Ahumada L; Lu A

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 35294-0007, USA. jgeorge@uab.edu

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - The induction of immunologic tolerance to solid organ allografts is a subject of intense investigation because of the morbidity and mortality associated with standard immunosuppressive therapy. One method that is currently in clinical and preclinical testing involves the transient ablation of recipient T cells using polyclonal antithymocyte sera or monoclonal anti-CD4/CD8 antibody treatment, followed by the posttransplant administration of donor bone marrow cells or of donor peripheral lymphoid populations. Recent studies in our laboratory have shown that the molecular and cellular basis of the prolongation of graft survival by donor cell administration depends on the cellular compartment from which the donor cells were derived. We provide here a brief review of these data followed by new data suggesting that the mode of peripheral and central selection is also dependent on the source from which the donor cells were derived.  N. Ref:: 38

 

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[186]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Cyclosporine-associated encephalopathy: a case report and literature review.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transplant Proc 2001 Nov-Dec;33(7-8):3700-1.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Chang SH; Lim CS; Low TS; Chong HT; Tan SY

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Renal Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Malaya Medical Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

 

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[187]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Diagnosis and management of refractoriness to platelet transfusion.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Blood Rev 2001 Dec;15(4):175-80.

      ●● Enlace al texto completo (gratuito o de pago) 1054/blre.2001.0164

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Schiffer CA

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA. schiffer@karmanos.org

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Improvements in the availability and quality of platelet transfusions have markedly reduced the morbidity and mortality associated with intensive myelosuppressive therapy. Alloimmunization and refractoriness to platelet transfusion remains a significant clinical problem, although the incidence of alloimmunization may be declining due to more widespread use of leucocyte depleted products. Alloimmunization can be distinguished from other causes of poor post transfusion increments by the measurement of lymphocytotoxic or antiplatelet antibodies. In addition to medical approaches to reduce the risk of bleeding in individual patients, identification of histocompatible donors can usually be accomplished by HLA matching of donor and recipient, platelet cross matching or a combination of both techniques. There are a number of selection strategies which can be utilized and optimal patient management requires close cooperation and communication between clinicians and blood centers.  N. Ref:: 48

 

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[188]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - IL-17 as a potential target for modulating airway neutrophilia.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Curr Pharm Des 2002;8(20):1855-61.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Laan M; Linden

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Lung Pharmacology Group, Department of Respiratory Medicine Allergology, Guldhedsgatan 10A, Gothenburg, SE-413 46, Sweden. martti.laan@hjl.gu.se

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Several chronic inflammatory airway diseases are characterized by an increased number of neutrophils in the airways. There is evidence that the recruitment of these neutrophils can be controlled by certain T-lymphocytes. However, the mechanisms behind this T-cell control of airway neutrophilia are poorly understood. In this review, we summarize the evidence that interleukin (IL)-17 released from T-lymphocytes of the CD45RO+ subset can link the activation of these T-cells to the recruitment and activation of neutrophils. This evidence suggests that pharmacotherapeutical modulation of neutrophilic airway inflammation can be achieved using several different strategies, including inhibition of IL-17 production by cAMP elevating agents or certain nuclear factor inhibitors, neutralization of released IL-17 protein by specific anti-IL-17-antibodies, blockade of the IL-17 receptor as well as inhibition of certain MAP kinases mediating the post receptor effects of IL-17 in airway cells. Additional studies on animals in vivo and patients, respectively, are needed to further evaluate the pharmacotherapeutical potential of these strategies.  N. Ref:: 57

 

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[189]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Current immunosuppressant regimens: considerations for critical care.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Curr Opin Crit Care 2001 Aug;7(4):242-50.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Kahan BD; Koch SM

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Division of Immunology and Organ Transplantation, Department of Surgery, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Barry.D.Kahan@uth.tmc.edu

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - While current immunosuppressive drug regimens have significantly increased the rate of successful transplantation outcomes, they convey potentially serious and overlapping adverse effects. Cyclosporine and tacrolimus are the cornerstones of current immunosuppression, achieving excellent one-year renal graft survival rates. Other promising new drugs include sirolimus, which has been demonstrated to reduce efficacy failure rates among renal transplant recipients, and everolimus, which is currently undergoing clinical trials. Agents targeting novel sites in the immune response or disrupting the ischemia-reperfusion cascades are currently under development. Among them, only FTY720 is undergoing large-scale human clinical trials. With its unique mechanism of action and synergistic interactions with cyclosporine and sirolimus, it may provide the foundation for a new era in immunosuppression.  N. Ref:: 66

 

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[190]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Postgrad Med J 2001 Jan;77(903):24-8.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Garg RK

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Neurology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome is a newly recognised brain disorder that predominantly affects the cerebral white matter. Oedematous lesions particularly involve the posterior parietal and occipital lobes, and may spread to basal ganglia, brain stem, and cerebellum. This rapidly evolving neurological condition is clinically characterised by headache, nausea and vomiting, seizures, visual disturbances, altered sensorium, and occasionally focal neurological deficit. Posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome is often associated with an abrupt increase in blood pressure and is usually seen in patients with eclampsia, renal disease, and hypertensive encephalopathy. It is also seen in the patients treated with cytotoxic and immunosuppressive drugs such as cyclosporin, tacrolimus, and interferon alfa. The lesions of posterior leukoencephalopathy are best visualised with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. T2 weighted MR images, at the height of symptoms, characteristically show diffuse hyperintensity selectively involving the parieto-occipital white matter. Occasionally the lesions also involve the grey matter. Computed tomography can also be used satisfactorily to detect hypodense lesions of posterior leukoencephalopathy. Early recognition of this condition is of paramount importance because prompt control of blood pressure or withdrawal of immunosuppressive agents will cause reversal of the syndrome. Delay in the diagnosis and treatment can result in permanent damage to affected brain tissues.  N. Ref:: 30

 

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[191]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Calcineurin phosphatase activity and immunosuppression. A review on the role of calcineurin phosphatase activity and the immunosuppressive effect of cyclosporin A and tacrolimus.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Scand J Immunol 2003 Feb;57(2):93-8.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Jorgensen KA; Koefoed-Nielsen PB; Karamperis N

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Research Laboratory, Department of Renal Medicine C, Skejby Sygehus, Arhus University Hospital, Arhus N, Denmark. kaj@dadlnet.dk

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - The mode of immunosuppressive action of tacrolimus (FK506) and cyclosporin A has been elucidated. Both drugs bind to proteins in the cytoplasm to form complexes, which in turn inhibit the phosphatase activity of calcineurin, an important limiting step in the activation of T cells. The association between drug uptake (pharmacokinetics) and enzyme inhibition (pharmacodynamics) is under current investigation. Great variations in the correlation between blood drug levels and enzyme inhibition could indicate that monitoring calcineurin phosphatase activity for treatment might be superior to monitoring blood drug levels.  N. Ref:: 52

 

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[192]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Lichen planus esophagitis: report of three patients treated with oral tacrolimus or intraesophageal corticosteroid injections or both.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Dis Esophagus 2003;16(1):47-53.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Keate RF; Williams JW; Connolly SM

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA. keate.ray@mayo.edu

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Clinically significant involvement of the esophagus is uncommon in patients who have lichen planus, a common disorder of squamous epithelium. In three patients who had oral, cutaneous, and esophageal lichen planus, endoscopic intralesional esophageal injection of corticosteroids (in all three patients) and oral tacrolimus (FH506) (in two patients) resulted in improvement in dysphagia, a less frequent need for dilation, and improvement in esophageal inflammation.  N. Ref:: 36

 

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[193]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Prevention and treatment of severe hemodynamic compromise in pediatric heart transplant patients.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Paediatr Drugs 2002;4(11):705-15.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Costello JM; Pahl E

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, The Children’s Memorial Hospital, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60614, USA.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Allograft rejection is a leading cause of severe hemodynamic compromise in pediatric heart transplant patients. A triple-drug immunosuppression regimen, which includes a calcineurin inhibitor, antiproliferative agent, and corticosteroid, suppresses the immune system at multiple different levels for optimal graft protection while minimizing the adverse effects of any one particular agent. Some pediatric centers also use induction therapy with anti-T cell antibodies immediately following transplantation as additional rejection prophylaxis. These antibodies augment immunosuppression by either depleting the T cell pool or blocking interleukin-2 receptors on activated T cells. Despite the aggressive preventive measures outlined above, some pediatric heart transplant patients will develop severe hemodynamic compromise, most commonly due to fulminant rejection. Such patients require attention to, and optimization of, the four determinants of cardiac output (heart rate, preload, contractility and afterload) to stabilize the circulation until the rejection can be reversed. Careful administration of volume, diuretics, inotropes, and afterload-reducing agents will meet this goal. Patients with allograft rejection require augmentation of immune suppression to facilitate myocardial recovery. Corticosteroids form the cornerstone of treatment for both cellular and vascular rejection. In patients with refractory cellular rejection, conversion to mycophenolate mofetil or tacrolimus may be appropriate if these agents are not already being used for maintenance immunosuppression. Critically ill patients may additionally benefit from muromonab-CD3 (OKT3) to augment lympholysis. Treatment employed specifically for humoral rejection is prescribed with the intention of suppressing new antibody formation, removing circulating antibody, and improving coronary blood flow. In addition to corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide and antithymocyte globulin or muromonab-CD3, along with plasmapheresis, may improve survival. Systemic heparinization should be considered to minimize coronary thrombosis in patients with humoral rejection. In the future, novel immunosuppressive agents may further assist in the prevention as well as treatment of severe hemodynamic compromise due to rejection in pediatric heart transplant recipients.  N. Ref:: 99

 

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[194]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Anemia in children after transplantation: etiology and the effect of immunosuppressive therapy on erythropoiesis.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Pediatr Transplant 2003 Aug;7(4):253-64.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Al-Uzri A; Yorgin PD; Kling PJ

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Department of Pediatrics, Section of Pediatric Nephrology, Oregon Health Sciences University, 707 SW Gaines Road, Portland, OR, USA. aluzria@ohsu.edu

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Anemia in children after renal transplantation is more common than previously appreciated. Multiple factors appear to play roles in the development of post-transplant anemia, the most common of which is absolute and/or functional iron deficiency anemia. Most experts recommend that iron limited anemias in transplant patients should be diagnosed using the same criteria as for chronic renal failure patients. Serum erythropoietin (EPO) levels are expected to normalize after a successful renal transplantation with a normal kidney function, yet both EPO deficiency and resistance have been reported. While no large controlled trials comparing the effect of different immunosuppressive agents on erythropoiesis after transplantation have been performed, generalized bone marrow suppression attributable to azathioprine (AZA), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), tacrolimus, antithymocyte preparations has been reported. Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) occurs rarely after transplantation and is characterized by the selective suppression of erythroid cells in the bone marrow. PRCA has been reported with the use of AZA, MMF, tacrolimus, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), but not with cyclosporine (CSA) use. Post-transplant hemolytic uremic syndrome has been reported with orthoclone anti T-cell antibody (OKT3), CSA and tacrolimus therapy. Viral infections including cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus and human parvovirus B19 have been reported to cause generalized marrow suppression. Management of severe anemia associated with immunosuppressive drugs generally requires lowering the dose, drug substitution or, when possible, discontinuation of the drug. Because this topic has been incompletely studied, our recommendation as to the best immunosuppressive protocol after renal transplantation remains largely dependent on the clinical response of the individual patient.  N. Ref:: 86

 

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[195]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - The state of the art in the management of inflammatory bowel disease.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Rev Gastroenterol Disord 2003 Spring;3(2):81-92.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Hanauer SB; Present DH

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Section of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), afflict an estimated one million Americans and produce symptoms that impair quality of life and ability to function. Progress in IBD management strategies has led to optimized approaches for achieving the two primary clinical goals of therapy: induction and maintenance of remission. Although surgery is indicated to treat refractory disease or specific complications, pharmacotherapy is the cornerstone of IBD management. The efficacy of aminosalicylates for induction of remission in mild to moderate UC and CD is well established, as is their role for maintenance of remission in UC. The sulfa-free mesalamine formulation offers an adverse effect profile similar to that of placebo, enabling the administration of higher, more effective doses. Although corticosteroids provide potent anti-inflammatory effects, their benefits are countermanded by the risk of intolerable and serious adverse effects, and they are ineffective for maintenance therapy. Other agents effective in inducing or maintaining remission are azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, infliximab, cyclosporine, methotrexate, and antibiotics. Ongoing clinical trials of experimental therapies will generate new tools for IBD treatment. Currently, a broad range of options allows physicians to tailor treatment to each patient’s needs and preferences. Such considerations are essential for maximizing adherence to therapy.  N. Ref:: 62

 

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[196]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Pharmacotherapeutic management of pulmonary sarcoidosis.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Am J Respir Med 2003;2(4):311-20.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Fazzi P

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Cardiac and Thoracic Department, Respiratory Pathophysiology Section, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. pfazzi@dcap.med.unipi.it

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment for sarcoidosis. Although the indications for medical therapy of sarcoidosis are controversial, standard therapy for symptomatic, progressive disease consists of corticosteroids. The British Thoracic Society concluded, with respect to systemic corticosteroids for the treatment of sarcoidosis, that some patients required no treatment, some required prednisone for control of symptoms, and others, with persistent disease, appeared to benefit from long-term corticosteroid therapy. Inhaled budesonide can be an effective treatment for lung sarcoidosis, with few adverse effects, when used in combination with oral systemic corticosteroids such as deflazacort administered in a tapered regimen for 6 months. A randomized controlled trial has also demonstrated the efficacy of 3 months of treatment with oral prednisolone in a tapered regimen followed by inhaled budesonide for 15 months in patients with early stage pulmonary sarcoidosis.Alternative drugs are required in chronic resistant sarcoidosis and/or in conditions where systemic corticosteroids are contraindicated. Immunosuppressive agents (chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, cyclosporine, azathioprine), anticytokine agents (thalidomide, pentoxifylline), antimalarials (chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine), melatonin and monoclonal antibody (infliximab) have been used in such situations.Chlorambucil and cyclophosphamide have been used in anecdotal cases of pulmonary sarcoidosis as corticosteroid-sparing agents. However, their toxicity and neoplastic potential recommend prudence in patient selection. A comparison between combination therapy with cyclosporine and prednisone and prednisone alone has shown an increased prevalence of serious adverse effects with combined therapy with no between-group differences in treatment efficacy. The cost and toxicity of cyclosporine limit its use to patients in whom its efficacy has been proven.In patients with chronic or refractory disease, methotrexate, usually administered once a week as a single oral dose for at least 2 years, has resulted in a significant improvement in respiratory function, chest radiographs and extrapulmonary manifestations. In most patients, this treatment enabled discontinuation of corticosteroids.Azathioprine may be effective as a corticosteroid-sparing agent in the long-term treatment of sarcoidosis. The combination of prednisolone and azathioprine over a period of 2 years has induced long-lasting remission in patients with resistant sarcoidosis. Thalidomide at low doses is effective in selected cases of sarcoidosis with cutaneous and mild pulmonary involvement. Pentoxifylline alone or combined with low doses of corticosteroids has achieved significant improvement in respiratory function in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis. Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine have been shown to have a specific effect in cutaneous manifestations, neurological involvement and hypercalcemia associated with sarcoidosis. Infliximab has yielded good results in patients with chronic resistant pulmonary and extrapulmonary sarcoidosis resistant to corticosteroid and cytotoxic therapy. The effectiveness of melatonin in cutaneous and pulmonary sarcoidosis has also been confirmed in a single center.  N. Ref:: 52

 

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[197]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - The molecular target of rapamycin (mTOR) as a therapeutic target against cancer.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Cancer Biol Ther 2003 Jul-Aug;2(4 Suppl 1):S169-77.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Mita MM; Mita A; Rowinsky EK

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Institute for Drug Development; Cancer Therapy and Research Center; San Antonio, Texas 78229, USA. mmita@saci.org

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - The molecular target of rapamycin (mTOR), which is a member of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase related kinase (PIKK) family and a central modulator of cell growth, is a prime strategic target for anti-cancer therapeutic development. mTOR plays a critical role in transducing proliferative signals mediated through the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway, principally by activating downstream protein kinases that are required for both ribosomal biosynthesis and translation of key mRNAs of proteins required for G(1) to S phase traverse. By targeting mTOR, the immunsuppressant and antiproliferative agent rapamycin (RAP) inhibits signals required for cell cycle progression, cell growth, and proliferation. RAP, a complex macrolide and highly potent fungicide, immunosuppressant, and anti-cancer agent, is a highly specific inhibitor of mTOR. In essence, RAP gains function by binding to the immunophilin FK506 binding protein 12 (FKBP12) and the resultant complex inhibits the activity of mTOR. Since mTOR activates both the 40S ribosomal protein S6 kinase ((p)70(s6k)) and the eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein-1 (4E-BP1), RAP blocks activation of these downstream signaling elements, which results in cell cycle arrest in the G1 arrest. RAP also prevents cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) activation, inhibits retinoblastoma protein ((p)Rb) phosphorylation, and accelerates the turnover of cyclin D1 that leads to a deficienciy of active cdk4/cyclin D1 complexes, all of which potentially contribute to the prominent inhibitory effects of RAP at the G(1)/S phase transition. Both RAP and several RAP analogs with more favorable pharmaceutical properties have demonstrated prominent growth inhibitory effects against a broad range of human cancers in both preclinical and early clinical evaluations. This review will summarize the principal mechanisms of action of RAP and RAP derivatives and their potential utility of these agents as anti-cancer therapeutics. The preliminary results of early clinical evaluations with RAP analogs and the unique developmental challenges that lie ahead will also be discussed.  N. Ref:: 112

 

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[198]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Combination treatment in autoimmune diseases: systemic lupus erythematosus.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Springer Semin Immunopathol 2001;23(1-2):75-89.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Moroni G; Della Casa Alberighi O; Ponticelli C

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Divisione di Nefrologia e Dialisi, Ospedale Maggiore IRCCS, Via della Commenda 15, 20122 Milan, Italy.  N. Ref:: 84

 

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[199]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Influence of one human leukocyte antigen mismatch on outcome of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from related donors.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Hematology 2003 Feb;8(1):27-33.

      ●● Enlace al texto completo (gratuito o de pago) 1080/1024533031000072054

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Hasegawa W; Lipton JH; Messner HA; Jamal H; Yi QL; Daly AS; Kotchetkova N; Kiss TL

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Bone Marrow Transplant Service, Princess Margaret Hospital/University Health Network, Toronto, Ont, M5G 2M9, Canada.

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - This study compares the clinical outcomes of 60 consecutive patients who received an allogeneic blood or marrow stem cell transplant (BMT) from one Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) mismatched related donors with those of 120 matched patients who had HLA identical sibling donors. The control patients were matched for diagnosis, disease status, conditioning regimen, and age at BMT. All patients received standard CYA and MTX for GVHD prophylaxis. The probability of overall survival (OS) at 5 years was 35% in the study group compared to 56% in the control group. The relapse rates and acute GVHD rates did not differ between the two groups. Graft failure was a significant problem in the study group compared to the control group (13 vs. 0%, p < 0.0001). All cases of graft failure occurred in patients with a mismatch in the host-versus-graft direction. BMT-related deaths were also increased in the study group. Forty percent of deaths were caused by infection in the study group vs. 19% in the control group (p < 0.01). In conclusion, the OS of patients receiving marrow/stem cells from one antigen mismatched related donors was inferior to that of controls with HLA-identical related donors. There was an increase in mortality related to infections occurring in the setting of an increased frequency of graft failure in these patients.  N. Ref:: 21

 

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[200]

TÍTULO / TITLE:  - Apoptosis, TGF beta and transfusion-related immunosuppression: Biologic versus clinical effects.

REVISTA / JOURNAL:  - Transfus Apheresis Sci 2003 Oct;29(2):127-9.

AUTORES / AUTHORS:  - Dzik WH

INSTITUCIÓN / INSTITUTION:  - Blood Transfusion Service, J-224, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA. sdzik@partners.org

RESUMEN / SUMMARY:  - Whether or not blood transfusion exerts an immunosuppressive effect on the recipient remains an area of controversy. The mechanism to clearly explain the effect has been elusive. We have previously suggested that there may be two categories of immunosuppressive transfusion effect: one which is HLA-dependent and directed against adaptive immunity and a second category which is mild, non-specific, and directed against innate immunity. This non-specific effect might result from the infusion of apoptotic blood cells. There is solid evidence that blood cells undergo apoptotic changes during refrigerated storage. The infusion of apoptotic cells has recently been shown in animal models to be immunosuppressive. Immunosuppression resulting from the infusion of apoptotic cells may be linked to transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta).  N. Ref:: 10

 

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