Biomaterial Database

Review article: immunosuppressive therapy for inflammatory bowel disease. 1993

R A Kozarek

Virginia Mason Clinic, Seattle, Washington 98101.

Refractory inflammatory bowel disease can be treated by surgery or using nutritional supplementation or replacement. Immunosuppressive agents may also play a role for refractory disease; they have gained widespread acceptance, due not only to trials that demonstrate efficacy but also to the realization that these side-effects are minor compared to those associated with long-term, high-dose corticosteroids. To date, 6-mercaptopurine and azathioprine remain the drugs of choice based upon extensive clinical experience, but both methotrexate and cyclosporin are promising immunosuppressants for otherwise refractory disease.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007166	Immunosuppressive Agents	Agents that suppress immune function by one of several mechanisms of action. Classical cytotoxic immunosuppressants act by inhibiting DNA synthesis. Others may act through activation of T-CELLS or by inhibiting the activation of HELPER CELLS. While immunosuppression has been brought about in the past primarily to prevent rejection of transplanted organs, new applications involving mediation of the effects of INTERLEUKINS and other CYTOKINES are emerging.	Immunosuppressant,Immunosuppressive Agent,Immunosuppressants,Agent, Immunosuppressive,Agents, Immunosuppressive
D008727	Methotrexate	An antineoplastic antimetabolite with immunosuppressant properties. It is an inhibitor of TETRAHYDROFOLATE DEHYDROGENASE and prevents the formation of tetrahydrofolate, necessary for synthesis of thymidylate, an essential component of DNA.	Amethopterin,Methotrexate Hydrate,Methotrexate Sodium,Methotrexate, (D)-Isomer,Methotrexate, (DL)-Isomer,Methotrexate, Dicesium Salt,Methotrexate, Disodium Salt,Methotrexate, Sodium Salt,Mexate,Dicesium Salt Methotrexate,Hydrate, Methotrexate,Sodium, Methotrexate
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001379	Azathioprine	An immunosuppressive agent used in combination with cyclophosphamide and hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. According to the Fourth Annual Report on Carcinogens (NTP 85-002, 1985), this substance has been listed as a known carcinogen. (Merck Index, 11th ed)	Azathioprine Sodium,Azathioprine Sodium Salt,Azathioprine Sulfate,Azothioprine,Immuran,Imuran,Imurel,Sodium, Azathioprine
D015122	Mercaptopurine	An antimetabolite antineoplastic agent with immunosuppressant properties. It interferes with nucleic acid synthesis by inhibiting purine metabolism and is used, usually in combination with other drugs, in the treatment of or in remission maintenance programs for leukemia.	6-Mercaptopurine,1,7-Dihydro-6H-purine-6-thione,6-Mercaptopurine Monohydrate,6-Thiohypoxanthine,6-Thiopurine,6H-Purine-6-thione, 1,7-dihydro-,BW 57-323H,Leupurin,Mecaptopurine Anhydrous,Mercaptopurina Wellcome,Puri-Nethol,Purimethol,Purinethol,6 Mercaptopurine,6 Mercaptopurine Monohydrate,6 Thiohypoxanthine,6 Thiopurine,BW 57 323H,BW 57323H
D015212	Inflammatory Bowel Diseases	Chronic, non-specific inflammation of the GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT. Etiology may be genetic or environmental. This term includes CROHN DISEASE and ULCERATIVE COLITIS.	Bowel Diseases, Inflammatory,Inflammatory Bowel Disease
D016572	Cyclosporine	A cyclic undecapeptide from an extract of soil fungi. It is a powerful immunosupressant with a specific action on T-lymphocytes. It is used for the prophylaxis of graft rejection in organ and tissue transplantation. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed).	Cyclosporin A,Ciclosporin,CsA-Neoral,CyA-NOF,Cyclosporin,Cyclosporine A,Neoral,OL 27-400,Sandimmun,Sandimmun Neoral,Sandimmune,CsA Neoral,CsANeoral,CyA NOF,OL 27 400,OL 27400