The IMBG Test for Evaluating the Pharmacodynamic Response to Immunosuppressive Therapy in Kidney Transplant Patients: Current Evidence and Future Applications.

Immunosuppressive drugs are widely used to prevent rejection after kidney transplantation. However, the pharmacological response to a given immunosuppressant can vary markedly between individuals, with some showing poor treatment responses and/or experiencing serious side effects. There is an unmet need for diagnostic tools that allow clinicians to individually tailor immunosuppressive therapy to a patient's immunological profile.

The Immunobiogram, a novel in vitro diagnostic test to measure the pharmacodynamic response to immunosuppressive therapy in kidney transplant patients.

Background: Diagnostic tools to measure the response to individual immunosuppressive drugs for transplant patients are currently lacking. We previously developed the blood-based Immunobiogram bioassay for in-vitro characterization of the pharmacodynamic response of patients' own immune cells to a range of immunosuppressants. We used Immunobiogram to examine the association between patients' sensitivity to their prescribed immunosuppressants and clinical outcome.

The Immunobiogram, a Novel Assay to Evaluate Treatment Resistance in Patients Receiving Immunosuppressive Therapy.

Immunosuppressive drugs are widely used to treat several autoimmune disorders and prevent rejection after organ transplantation. However, intra-individual variations in the pharmacological response to immunosuppressive therapy critically influence its efficacy, often resulting in poor treatment responses and serious side effects. Effective diagnostic tools that help clinicians to tailor immunosuppressive therapy to the needs and immunological profile of the individual patient thus constitute a major unmet clinical need.

[Effectiveness of inhaled corticosteroids in chronic obstructive lung disease: systematic review].

Background: Inhaled corticosteroids are increasingly being used in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), but their effectiveness is disputed. The aim of this study was to define the clinical effectiveness of inhaled corticosteroids in non-asthmatic COPD by a systematic review of the literature.

Material And Method: Literature searches were conducted in Medline, the Cochrane library and the Spanish Medical Index.

[The efficacy of corticosteroids in exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: meta-analysis of published studies].

Background: Corticosteroids are frequently used in exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but their efficacy is controversial. We have carried out a systematic review of the literature to clarify this issue.

Methods: We searched Medline, Cochrane Library and Indice Medico Español databases for articles about corticosteroids and COPD.