The susceptibility of baboons to the novel immunosuppressant, FTY720

Since there is a major scarcity of donor organs world-wide, the experimental search for human organs has focused on two alternatives; mechanical devices and cross-species transplants. The use of mechanical devices as substitute organs is understandably limited due to complications from trying to duplicate the function of complex organs such as the liver. This has resulted in a renewed interest in xenotransplantation. Organs from non-human primates would arguably be the organs of choice but ethical consideration prevents this. The transplantation of organs from pigs or sheep to humans i.e. xenotransplants, results in hyperacute rejection. The development of immunosuppressive agents such as Cyc1osporine A and Tacrolimus have significantly improved the survival of organ transplants. However, although there is a good 1-5 year survival, the recurrent problem of chronic rejection still remains, and unresponsiveness to allografts has never been induced by these immunosuppressive agents. More importantly, the presence of adverse side effects including immunological complications and drug toxicity e.g. nephrotoxicity, remains a serious problem. Since the drugs currently available for allotransplantation preferably target T -cells, and are therefore unlikely to be sufficient for xenotransplantation where there is a strong B-cell driven response, there is a need for new immunosuppressive agents. FTY720 (2 amino-2-(2-[ 4-octylphenyl] ethyl)-1,3-propanediol hydrochloride), a novel, immunosuppressive drug active in rodent and dog transplantation models, has shown no toxic side effects in pre-clinical studies although no long-term patient studies exist.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Medicine

Year dc:date.issued

2000

Author dc:creator

• Semple, P L

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Quesniaux, Valerie

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/3463

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/3463