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. 2001 Feb 8;2(1):45–53. doi: 10.1186/cvm-2-1-045

Table 1.

Induction immunosuppressive drugs

Agent Molecular target Molecular effect Specific side effects Comments
ATG/ALG Binds multiple antigens on lymphoid cells Complement-mediated lysis Serum sickness Batch variability
Opsonization and clearance Thrombocytopenia
Modification of cell surface receptor Granulocytopenia
OKT3 Binds T cell CD3 Complement mediated lysis Cytokine release syndrome Tachyphylaxis due to anti-idiotypic antibodies
Opsonization and clearance (eg fever, chills, headache, and pulmonary edema)
Modification of CD3 receptor
Daclizumab Binds α-subunit of interleukin-2 receptor Down-regulation of receptor No major side effects reported so far Humanized antibody
? CD4 T cell depletion Long half-life (20 days)
Five-dose regimen
Basiliximab Binds α-subunit of interleukin-2 receptor Down-regulation of receptor No major side effects reported so far Chimeric antibody
? CD4 T cell depletion Long half-life (10-14 days)
Two-dose regimen

ALG, antilymphocyte globulin; ATG, antithymocyte globulin.