[Immunosuppressive therapy in clinical practice].

In clinical practice immunosuppressive therapy is performed by means of glucocorticoids in most patients. In addition, some patients are given alkylating agents (cytoxan, chlorambucil) or purine analogues (azathioprine). Recently a new immunosuppressive drug, cyclosporine A, has been developed. The mechanisms of action of these four compounds are discussed, for which purpose a simple model of the immunological network is presented. The present indications for the use of cyclosporine A in clinical practice are discussed.