[Advances in transplantation biology and transplantation of vital organs in the era of immunosuppression with cyclosporin A].

Advances in transplantation biology and transplantation of vital organs during the 15 years are described. Immunosuppressive therapy has greatly benefited from the introduction of cyclosporin A into postoperative care of transplant patients. Other immunosuppressive agents recently used are monoclonal antibody OKT 3 and the preparation FK 506. Cadaver kidney transplantation has been improved by HLA-DR antigen typing. A new preservation solution developed at the University of Wisconsin has increased the quality of transplant organs over a prolonged period of preservation. The whole period is marked with successful transplantation of the lung, the heart-lung, the small intestine, parts of the liver, multiorgan transplantation and liver transplantation combined with other organs or cells. Xenotransplantation of the liver and the heart, however, have failed. Renal, cardiac and hepatic transplantations have now become a recognised therapeutic measure for end-stage disease which cannot be treated by drugs.