REVIEWS  INTESTINAL FAILURE AND REHABILITATION 

Minerva Pediatrica 2009 June;61(3):293-303

Copyright © 2009 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Immunologic basis of allograft rejection and immunosuppressive agents in intestinal transplantation

Vianna R.

Unit of Intestinal and Multivisceral Transplantation Department of Surgery Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis, IN, USA

Recent advances in intestinal transplantation have made this treatment option an acceptable clinical reality for many patients with intestinal failure. Growth in this field is closely linked to an improved understanding of the intrinsic immune system of the intestine, and the development of immunosuppression agents that interact with this system. The recent advent of antibody-based immunosuppression induction agents has decreased perioperative rejection episodes and lowered the amount of maintenance immunosuppression required by intestinal transplant patients. As progress is made in lowering the risks of graft rejection, long-term outcomes will continue to improve and a greater number of patients with intestinal failure will benefit from this therapy.