Immunosuppression in kidney transplantation.

For most patients with chronic kidney failure, kidney transplantation has the greatest potential for restoring a healthy and productive life. The risk of acute rejection is the highest in the first months after transplantation (induction phase) and diminishes afterwards (maintenance phase). Immunosuppression should be at the highest level in the early period and reduced for long-term therapy. At present, conventional immunosuppressive protocols consist of the triple therapy: a calcineurin inhibitor, an adjunctive agent, corticosteroids. The development of new immunosuppressives drugs is aimed not only at improving short-term outcomes, but also achieving better safety, less nephrotoxicity and minimal side effects.