Calcineuriiniestäjät

Calcineuriiniestäjät is the Finnish term for calcineurin inhibitors. Calcineurin inhibitors are a class of drugs that are primarily used in medicine to suppress the immune system. They work by inhibiting the activity of a protein phosphatase called calcineurin. Calcineurin is a key enzyme involved in the activation of T-lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in the body's immune response. By blocking calcineurin, these drugs prevent T-cells from becoming activated and mounting an immune attack.

The most common use for calcineurin inhibitors is in preventing organ transplant rejection. After a transplant, the recipient's immune system may recognize the new organ as foreign and attempt to reject it. Calcineurin inhibitors help to dampen this immune response, making it less likely that the body will attack and damage the transplanted organ. They are also used in the treatment of certain autoimmune diseases, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues. Examples of conditions treated include rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, although their use in these areas is more specialized.

Two main calcineurin inhibitors are widely used: cyclosporine and tacrolimus. Both are potent immunosuppressants and require careful monitoring by healthcare professionals due to their potential side effects, which can include kidney problems, high blood pressure, and increased risk of infections. The specific choice of drug, dosage, and duration of treatment depends on the individual patient's condition and response.