Glucorticoids in transplant patients

Question

Why glucorticoids are used in the transplant patients?

Answer 1

Patients having the transplanted organs are prone to the host versus graft rejection as their own immune system tends to attack grafted organ due to the recognition of grafted tissue as the foreign matter. In prevention and treatment of this common problem patients are provided with the glucorticoids or other immunosupressants. Glucocorticoids have an immunosuppressant action and thus, they decrease the aggression of immune system against the graft. The immune action though is also very significant for the individual. The immune system defends the body against invasion and infection by the pathogenic agents besides being fundamental for the removal of the modified cells which may proliferate and cause the cancer. Patients attaining the  immunosuppressants such as  glucocorticoids are therefore, under the increased risk of infectious and neoplastic diseases.