New developments in immunosuppressive therapy for heart transplantation.

BACKGROUND

Heart transplantation is a well-established therapeutic option for many patients with end-stage heart disease. A major challenge in heart transplantation today is providing effective immunosuppression to prevent graft rejection while minimizing the many adverse effects of currently available therapies.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review current immunosuppressive treatment strategies after heart transplantation and to review emerging drugs in various stages of development.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature review was performed using the online PubMed and Pharmaprojects databases.

RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: This article gives an overview of the immunosuppressive agents in current use, with a detailed review of emerging drugs with novel therapeutic targets.