Which drug class is used to treat and prevent rejection of transplanted organs?

Which drug class is used to treat and prevent rejection of transplanted organs?

• A. Lipid-Lowering Agent
• B. Immunosuppressant
• C. Ophthalmic Anti-Infective
• D. Platelet Inhibitor

Answer: (B)

Transplant rejection is prevented by dampening the immune response to the donor tissue. Immunosuppressants are the drug class used to do this, since they specifically reduce T-cell activation and proliferation and suppress antibody responses that would attack the transplanted organ. A typical approach uses a combination of agents that block T-cell signaling (such as calcineurin inhibitors that prevent IL-2 production), inhibit lymphocyte proliferation, and tamp down inflammation (steroids). This strategy lowers the chance of rejection while balancing the risk of infection and other side effects. The other drug classes shown don’t target the immune response against a transplant: lipid-lowering medications treat cholesterol, ophthalmic anti-infectives treat eye infections, and platelet inhibitors reduce blood clotting.

Transplant rejection is prevented by dampening the immune response to the donor tissue. Immunosuppressants are the drug class used to do this, since they specifically reduce T-cell activation and proliferation and suppress antibody responses that would attack the transplanted organ. A typical approach uses a combination of agents that block T-cell signaling (such as calcineurin inhibitors that prevent IL-2 production), inhibit lymphocyte proliferation, and tamp down inflammation (steroids). This strategy lowers the chance of rejection while balancing the risk of infection and other side effects. The other drug classes shown don’t target the immune response against a transplant: lipid-lowering medications treat cholesterol, ophthalmic anti-infectives treat eye infections, and platelet inhibitors reduce blood clotting.