Table 1.
Classes of immunosuppressive drugs.
| Class | Drugs | Mechanism of action | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacological immunosuppressive agents | Corticosteroids | Inhibit cytokine transcription by antigen presenting cells, broad spectrum of effects | |
| Calcineurin inhibitors | Cyclosporin, tacrolimus | Inhibition of signal 2 transduction | |
| Antimetabolites | Azathioprine, mycophenolate | Inhibition of purine and DNA synthesis and prevention of T cell proliferation | |
| mTOR inhibitors | Sirolimus, Everolimus | Inhibition of signal 3 transduction and prevention of T cell proliferation | |
| Biological immunosuppressive agents | T cell-depleting agents | Anti-CD3 (monoclonal): OKT3 | Interference with signal 1 |
| ATG/ALG: horse and rabbit | Interference with signals 1–3 | ||
| Anti-CD52 Campath-1H (Alemtuzumab): | Depletion of thymocytes, T cell, B cells, monocytes | ||
| Non-T cell-depleting agents | Anti–IL-2 receptors, basiliximab, daclizumab | Inhibition of T cell proliferation and signal 3 | |
| belatacept | Inhibition of signal 2 |
Adapted from reference12.