Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2009 Dec 17;73(8):144.
doi: 10.5688/aj7308144.

The pharmacology of immunosuppression

Martin M Zdanowicz  1
Affiliations

The pharmacology of immunosuppression

Martin M Zdanowicz. Am J Pharm Educ. .

Abstract

Objective: To provide students with a comprehensive, integrated presentation on the pharmacology of immuosuppression.

Design: Course content on the pharmacology of immunosuppression relating to organ transplantation and treatment of autoimmune disorders was presented in integrated sequence modules that included content from pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, and therapeutics. Weekly recitation sessions and active-learning exercises were incorporated to allow students to apply the information they learned to integrated patient cases and stimulate involvement and critical thinking. Fundamental material related to the components and functions of the immune system was presented to students early in curriculum with courses such as biochemistry, pathophysiology, and immunology/microbiology.

Assessment: Comprehensive examinations, in-class quizzes, written case submissions, case discussions, review exercises, and group exercises were used to assess student learning.

Conclusion: Students at South University received a comprehensive and detailed understanding of all aspects relating to immunosuppressive therapy. This was accomplished by integrating instruction on immunosuppressive therapy from various disciplines.

Keywords: autoimmune disease; immune system; immunosuppression; organ transplantation; pharmacology.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Immunosuppressive drugs affecting IL-2.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Allison AC. Immunosuppressive drugs: the first 50 years and a glance forward. Immunopharmacol. 2000;47(5):63–83. - PubMed
    1. Chisholm MA, Mulloy LL, Jagadeesan M, DiPiro JT. Impact of clinical pharmacy services on renal transplant patients’ compliance with immunosuppressive medications. Clin Transplant. 2001;15(2):330–336. - PubMed
    1. Fishman JA, Rubin RH. Infection in organ-transplant recipients. N Engl J Med. 1998;338(24):1741–1751. - PubMed
    1. Hesselink DA, vanGelder T, van Schalk RHN. The pharmacogenetics of calcineurin inhibitors: one step closer toward individualized immunosuppression. Pharmacogenomics. 2005;6(4):323–337. - PubMed
    1. United Network for Organ Sharing. http://www.unos.org. Accessed October 21, 2009.

Substances

LinkOut - more resources