As compared with the early immunosuppressive drugs (azathioprine, steroids, anti-lymphocyte serum) some newer agents have the following specific advantages:
Cyclosporine, which interferes with lymphokine production, exhibits neither bone marrow nor renal toxicity Monoclonal antibody (OKT3) is more available and has greater specificity and fewer side effects than anti-lymphocyte serum Tacrolimus (FK506) has propeies similar to those of cyclosporine but is especially valuable for rescue of grafts that are failing on cyclosporine therapy None of the above