Modern immunosuppression strategies in lung transplantation

Abstract

Many new immunosuppressive drugs have been introduced into the clinical practice of lung transplantation during the past 5 years. Many of these drugs seem to have a positive effect on early acute allograft rejection, thereby reducing the risk of pulmonary infections in the early postoperative period. The main obstacle to true long-term survival after lung transplantation remains chronic rejection or bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome. Currently, no clear evidence is available regarding the positive effects of newer drugs on either of these long-term complications to finally assess the value of these drugs. Randomized controlled long-term studies, including patient follow up of more than 24 months, are needed.