2. ⢠Immunosuppressant drugs are a class of drugs that suppress, or
reduce, the strength of the bodyâs immune system.
⢠Immunomodulatory drugs modify the response of the immune
system by increasing (immunostimulators) or decreasing
(immunosuppressives) the production of serum antibodies.
3.
4. SYSTEMIC STEROIDS
⢠Most commonly used immunosuppressive and anti-
inflammatory drug.
Mechanism of action :
⢠There is passive diffusion of the glucocorticoids through the
cell membrane, followed by binding to soluble receptor
proteins in the cytoplasm.
⢠This hormone-receptor complex then moves to the nucleus
and regulates the transcription of a limited number of target
genes
9. SIDE EFFECTS OF LONG TERM STEROID THERAPY:
⢠Osteoporosis And Osteonecrosis
⢠Gastrointestinal Side Effects
⢠Endocrine Side Effects-diabetes,hpa Axis
Suprression,cushing Syndrome
⢠Corticosteroid And Immunity Including Vaccinations
⢠Ophtalmologic Side Effects
⢠Cutaneous Side Effects
⢠Cardiovascular Side Effects
⢠Steroid Induced Myopathy
⢠Cognitive And Mood Side Effects
10. Monitoring
⢠BP (at 1 month and atleast every 2-3 months)
⢠Height and weight in children
⢠Ophthalmological examination for cataracts
and glaucoma
⢠Potassium, glucose and triglyceride levels (at 1
month and atleast every 2-3 months)
⢠Near time of cessation ( am cortisol levels)
11. METHOTREXATE-
⢠Methotrexate (4-amino-N10methyl pteroylglutamic acid) is
a potent competitive inhibitor of the enzyme dihydrofolate
reductase.
⢠First used by Gubner et al in 1951 for psoriasis , got USFDA
approval to be used in psoriasis in 1971.
Availability-
⢠Oral, IM, IV preparations available
⢠2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 15 mg tabs
⢠15mg/ml, 25mg/ml injections
⢠IV MTX more tolerable due to high renal clearance
Regimes-
⢠Once weekly dose
⢠Three divided dose over 24 hour period
⢠MTX inhibits cell division at S phase (DNA synthesis) of the
normal cell cycle.
12. Structure- Dose-
⢠0.3mg/kg/week
⢠Max benefit at 10-25mg
/week
⢠Max dose 30mg/week
Response-
⢠Initial response 1-4 weeks
⢠Therapeutic benefit in 2-3
months.
⢠Antineoplastic dosage
range;30-40mg/m2/week
to 100-
12000mg/m2/week
13. Mechanism of action - ⢠MTX affect the proliferation of
lymphocytes & blocks migration of
activated T cells
⢠Because of inhibition of DNA
synthesis in immunologically
competent cells , suppression of
primary and secondary antibody
responses occurs. There is no
significant effect on delayed-type
hypersensitivity.
⢠anti-inflammatory effects are
mediated by excess accumulation
of adenosine due to AICAR
transformylase and ecto 5â˛
nucleotidase interaction
⢠Adenosine binds to A2A receptor
in endothelial cells, inhibiting
apoptosis, neutrophil chemotaxis,
and release of TNFÎą, IFNÎł, IL-12,
IL-6
15. Indications of MTX use in psoriasis-
⢠Erythrodermic psoriasis
⢠Psoriatic arthritis: not responsive to conventional
therapy
⢠Pustular psoriasis: generalized or
debilitating localized disease
⢠Psoriasis that adversely affects ability to maintain
employment
⢠Extensive, severe plaque psoriasis: not responsive
to conventional therapy (usually > 20% surface
involvement)
⢠Lack of response to phototherapy (PUVA and UVB) or
systemic retinoids
16. Contraindications-
Absolute
⢠Pregnancy
⢠Lactation
Relative
⢠Unreliable patient â including excessive alcohol intake
(>100 g/week)
⢠Decreased renal function (dosage must be reduced, avoid
in patients on dialysis)
⢠Metabolic: diabetes mellitus or obesity
⢠Hepatic disease: abnormal liver function tests, active
hepatitis; NASH, cirrhosis
⢠Severe hematologic abnormalities Active infectious disease
or history of serious infection (eg-TB)
⢠Immunodeficiency syndrome: hereditary or acquired
17. Adverse effects-
⢠Gastrointestinal- nausea, anorexia, diarrhoea, vomiting
⢠Hematological- pancytopenia (more with dapsone ,
sulfonamides)
⢠Hepatotoxicity- risk increased with alcohol and retinoids
⢠Teratogenic and abortifacient
⢠Cutaneous- hyperpigmentation, alopecia
⢠Renal toxicity- only in high doses (with sulfonamides,
phenytoin , tetracyclines, chloremphenicol, probenecid)
⢠Erythema recall phenomenon
⢠MTX osteopathy
⢠Pulmonary- pneumonitis
⢠Lymphoma rarely
18. Monitoring guidelines-
⢠CBC & LFT every week for 4 weeks and then decrease frequency to
every 4 weeks
⢠RFT once or twice yearly
⢠Chest X ray annually
⢠Liver biopsy-first biopsy at 3.5 to 4 g total dose of mtx and
subsequent after 1.5-2 g accumulated dosage in low risk patients,
⢠consider baseline biopsy in high risk patients and After every 1g
dosage accumulation and every 6 months grade III A liver biopsy
changes
⢠To be stopped if
-TLC <3500 cumm
-platelet counts- <100000 cumm
-liver transaminase increases twice the upper limit
19. Acute methotrexate toxicity-
Causes
⢠Accidental overdose
⢠Drugs causing increased concentration in body
⢠Acute renal failure
⢠Hypoalbunimea
Clinical features-
⢠long standing chronic plaque psoriasis,
⢠Sudden onset of erosions on plaques and oral ulcers
Management-
⢠Folinic acid 10 mg/m2 according to BSA every 6 hourly
Leucovorin or(N5formyl-tetrahydrofolate: folinic acid) a fully reduced,
functional folate coenzyme bypasses the inhibition of dihydrofolate
reductase enzyme.
⢠Alkalization of urine by NaHCO3
⢠Myelosuppression â G-CSF
20. AZATHIOPRINE-
⢠Azathioprine was synthesized in 1959 from its parent
drug 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP), and became drug of
choice for organ transplantation during the 1970s
⢠Peak levels 1â2 h
⢠Bioavailable 88%
⢠Half-life 5 hours
⢠Therapeutic effect take 2-3 month to develop
⢠Metabolism
-Thiopurine methyltransferase -inactive metabolites
-Xanthine oxidase - inactive metabolites
-HGPRT - active purine analogue
21. ⢠Azathioprime dosage after pre TPMT testing
-low values- not used to prevent severe
myelosuppression
-intermediate values- 1mg/kg
-high values- 2-2.5mg/kg
22. Mechanism of action-
-6-TGâs structural similarity to the
endogenous purines allows it to
be incorporated into DNA and
RNA,
-Hence inhibiting purine
metabolism and cell division.
-Azathioprine also affects T- and
B-cell function and antigen-
presenting cell function and
numbers.
-T-cell-mediated function is
depressed, and antibody
production is diminished in the B
cell.
26. Monitoring guidelines-
⢠Clinical evaluation
⢠Discuss the risk/benefit profile and adverse effects with patient.
⢠Discuss birth control/abstinence if women of child bearing potential
⢠Elicit history of prior alkylating agents or current use of allopurinol
⢠Laboratory
-Pregnancy test
-Complete blood count (CBC)
-Serum chemistry profile
-Urine analysis
-Tuberculin skin test
⢠Special tests- TPMT assay dose according to enzyme activity.
Follow-up
⢠Clinical evaluation â Annual complete physical examination for lymphoma
and SCC
⢠Laboratory - CBC
- LFT
biweekly for the first 2 months, every 2â3 months thereafter
27. CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE-
⢠Alkylating agent Derived from nitrogen mustard
⢠Causes cross-linking of DNA, leading to cell death by
apoptosis
⢠Cell cycle non specific
⢠Metabolism in liver by cytochrome P450
⢠Bioavailability- 75%
⢠Peak levels in 1-2 hours and half life is 5-9 hr
⢠Therapeutic effect evident after 4-6 weeks
⢠Dose 1-1.5mg/kg (adjuvant)
⢠Parenteral pulse dose â 10-15 mg in 200 ml of 5% dextrose
infused over an hour.
⢠Advised to drink 3 litres of water and void frequently.
28. Mechanism of action-
-prodrug is biologically
inactive
-the primary metabolites
form covalent bonds
with the nucleophilic
centers of DNA.
-alkylation causes DNA
cross-linking, abnormal
basepair formation,
-Damage overwhelms
cellular repair
mechanisms, and
mutagenesis,
carcinogenesis, and cell
death result.
-greater effect upon B
lymphocytes than T
lymphocytes.
30. Contraindications-
Absolute
⢠Drug allergy (conflicting reports of cross-reaction
with clorambucil)
⢠Depressed bone marrow function
⢠Lactation
⢠Pregnancy (teratogenic) category D
⢠Prior history of bladder cancer
Relative
⢠Active infection
⢠Impaired hepatic metabolism
⢠Impaired renal function
31. Side effects-
⢠Genitourinary- Bladder fibrosis, contracture,
vesicoureteral reflux, Dysuria, urgency, microscopic
hematuria ,Hemorrhagic cystitis (5â41%) by acrolein
⢠Carcinogenesis- Bladder carcinoma, Leukemia,
Lymphoma, SCC
⢠Gastrointestinal - Anorexia, stomatitis, hepatotoxicity,
hemorrhagic colitis ,Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
⢠Hematologic- pancytopenia
⢠Reproductive- Amenorrhea, Azoospermia (improved
with testosterone) ,Ovarian failure
⢠Dermatologic- Alopecia (anagen effluvium),
Pigmentation of skin and nails Pigmented band on
teeth (irreversible) ,Urticaria or bullous eruptions
32. Monitoring guidelines-
⢠CBC and urine analysis
-weekly for a month
-every 2 weeks for 2 months
-monthly with stable dose
⢠discontinue if WBC<4000 ,platelets<100000 and
RBC in urine
⢠LFT-
-Every month for 6 months
-every 3 months
33. CYCLOSPORINE-
⢠isolated from the soil fungus Tolypocladium inflatum gams
⢠Neutral cyclic peptide (11 amino acids)
⢠family of calcineurin inhibitors and it was initially approved
by the FDA in 1983 to reduce the risk of organ transplant
rejection
⢠Bioavailability- 30-35%
⢠peak concentration levels- 2 to 4 hours
⢠metabolized in the liver by cytochrome P450 3A4
⢠main route of excretion bile.
⢠2 formulations sandimmune and neooral.
⢠Starting Dose 5mg/kg in recalcitrant psoriasis
⢠2.5-3 mg/kg in atopic dermatitis
⢠Duration of therapy 3-6 months
34. ⢠-Inhibit production of IL-2
by inhibiting calcineurin
⢠-Calcineurin inhibition
leads to reduced activity
of the transcription factor
-NFAT-1
⢠-Inhibits T-cell
proliferation
⢠-Inhibits IFN-γ production
⢠-Reduced HLA DR-
positivity
⢠-reduced keratinocyte
proliferation
⢠-Binds to steroid receptor
associated heat-shock
protein 56
⢠-Inhibits transcription of
proinflammatory cytokines
such as GM-CSF, IL-1, IL-3,
IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-Îą
35. Uses-
US FDA-approved indications
⢠Psoriasis
⢠Severe Recalcitrant psoriasis
⢠Disabling psoriasis (including localized versions such as hand and foot psoriasis)
⢠Atopic dermatitis (in other countries)
Other dermatologic uses
⢠Papulosquamous dermatoses- Lichen planus
⢠Bullous dermatoses- Pemphigus, Pemphigoid, Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita
⢠Autoimmune connective tissue diseases- Dermatomyositis, Lupus erythematosus,
Scleroderma
⢠Neutrophilic dermatoses- Behçetâs disease, Pyoderma gangrenosum
⢠Atopic dermatitis
⢠Alopecia areata ,Lichen planopilaris
⢠Granulomatous dermatoses- Granuloma annulare, Sarcoidosis
⢠Disorders of keratinization- Pityriasis rubra pilaris
⢠Photosensitivity dermatoses - Chronic actinic dermatitis
⢠Persistent papular acantholytic dermatosis- Purpura pigmentosa chronica, Reiterâs
syndrome
⢠Urticaria- Chronic urticaria, Cold urticaria, Solar urticaria
36. Contraindications-
Absolute
⢠Significantly decreased renal function
⢠Uncontrolled hypertension
⢠Hypersensitivity to CsA or any ingredients in formulation
⢠Clinically cured or persistent malignancy
⢠Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
Relative
⢠Age <18 years or >64 years Controlled hypertension
⢠Planning to receive a live attenuated vaccination
⢠On medications that potentiate renal dysfunction
⢠Active infection or evidence of immunodeficiency
⢠receiving , methotrexate, or other immunosuppressive
agents
⢠Pregnancy or lactation Pregnancyâ Category C
38. Monitoring guidelines-
⢠Blood pressure
⢠CBC
⢠LFT
⢠S.creatinine
⢠Fasting lipid profile
Every 2 weeks for 2 months
Then every 4 weeks
⢠S.creatinine if >30% baseline repeat in 2 weeks if not
normalised stop drug
⢠Blood pressure if >140/90 ,repeat in 2 weeks ,if not
normalised , reduce the dose by 30% or treat with calcium
channel blockers.
39. MYCOPHENATE MOFETIL-
⢠Prodrug to mycophenolic acid
⢠Derived from penicillium stoloniferum
⢠Morpholinoethylester of MPA
⢠Bioavailable 94%
⢠Protein bound 97%
⢠First peak in 1 hr second peak in 6 hrs
⢠Metabolised in liver by glucoronidation into MPA
⢠Excreted in urine in form of MPAG
⢠Dose 25-35mg/kg for T cell mediated diseases and 35-
55mg/kg for antibody mediated
⢠Induction and maintenance in lupus nephritis at 500mg
ODHS for a week.
40. Mechanism of action-
⢠MPA non-competitively
binds to and inhibits
inosine monophosphate
dehydrogenase
(IMPDH), the key
enzyme in the de novo
pathway.
⢠MMF has a much higher
affinity for the isoform
of IMPDH that is
expressed in activated
lymphocytes.
⢠Hence MMF is able to
target those
lymphocytes most
responsible for disease
sparing other organs and
cells
45. INTRAVENOUS IMMUNOGLOBULIN-
⢠Derived from human plasma pool of >1000 healthy donors
⢠Comprised of IgG in major amounts and traces of others
⢠Peak immediate
⢠Half life- 3-5 weeks
⢠Distribution- 60% intravascular
⢠Dose 2g/kg/cycle 3 consecutive days slow infusion over 4
hours
one cycle every 3 weeks
⢠Clinical control in 4-6 months -> tapering done -> at end
point 2 infusions 16 weeks apart
46. Mechanism of action-
-the suppression of antibody production by
IgG binding via its Fc fragment to surface
receptors on B lymphocytes
-binds to C3 and C5 convertases, block
complement activation hence prevent
formation of the membrane attack complex
-IVIg binds to Fc receptors on macrophages,
subsequently downregulating these
receptors.
-downregulate the expression of co-
stimulatory molecules such as lymphocyte
function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) on
activated T cells, interfering with T-cell
activation
-Antibodies against the extracellular matrix
protein Arg-Gly-Asp may inhibit the cellular
adhesion and subsequent cellular migration
-anti-Fas-receptor antibodies, which block
molecular Fas ligand/Fas receptor
interactions and keratinocyte apoptosis
48. Contraindications-
Absolute
⢠anaphylaxis secondary to previous infusions
Relative
⢠Congestive heart failure (increased risk fluid overload)
⢠Renal failure (increased risk fluid overload)
⢠IgA deficiency (increased risk of anaphylaxis)
⢠Rheumatoid arthritis (increased risk of renal failure)
⢠Cryoglobulinemia (increased risk of renal failure)
⢠Pregnancy NOT a contraindication for IVIg therapy
49. Side effects-
ďź Infusion-related adverse effects â
⢠headache, myalgia,
⢠chills, flushing, fever,
⢠nausea or vomiting,
⢠low back pain,
⢠wheezing, chest pain,
⢠blood pressure changes, and tachycardia.
ďź Anaphylaxis in patients with IgA deficiency having anti-IgA
antibodies.
ďź Fluid overload and Rarely acute renal failure due to âosmotic
nephrosisâ in patients receiving sucrose-containing IVIg
preparations.
ďź Hematologic disorders, such as neutropenia and hemolysis
ďź Aseptic meningitis reported in up to 11% patients
ďź Thromboembolic events
ďź Infections from pooled human plasma.
50. Monitoring guidelines-
⢠Complete history and physical exam with emphasis on
cardiopulmonary and renal status
⢠Laboratory â Complete blood count (CBC)
â LFT
â RFT
â Immunoglobulin levels ( to exclude IgA deficiency
increases risk of anaphylaxis)
⢠Screen for rheumatoid factor and cryoglobulins (these patients are
at increased risk for renal failure from IVIg)
⢠Consider screening for hepatitis B and C , HIV.
⢠During infusions monitor blood pressure and heart rate frequently.
⢠Assess for signs of fluid overload â auscultate lungs and heart,
weigh the patient
⢠Laboratory â no specific follow-up laboratory testing required