Drug Basics
This corticosteroid drug suppresses the immune system and reduces inflammation.
What is prednisone?
Mycophenolate suppresses these immune cells responsible for immune responses.
What are T and B cells ?
This drug is an antifolate that inhibits DHFR and is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and certain cancers.
What is methotrexate?
Without tetrahydrofolate, cells cannot produce these two molecules needed for cell growth.
What are DNA and RNA?
In 1947, this scientist discovered that folic acid analogs could cause remission in childhood leukemia
What is Sidney Farber?
This immunosuppressant drug is commonly used to prevent organ transplant rejection.
What is Mycophenolate?
Mycophenolate is converted into this active compound in the body.
What is mycophenolic acid (MPA?
This is the trademark name for lenalidomide.
What is Revlimid?
Lenalidomide increases the activity of these immune cells that help fight infections and cancer.
What are T cells?
In 1957, thalidomide was introduced in Europe to treat this condition during pregnancy.
What is nausea?
Prednisone belongs to this drug class that mimics cortisol in the body.
What are corticosteroids (glucocorticoids) ?
Prednisone helps reduce this body response that causes swelling and pain.
What is inflammation?
Trexall and Rheumatrex are trademark names for this drug used to treat arthritis and some cancers.
What is methotrexate?
Methotrexate blocks this enzyme needed for folate metabolism and DNA synthesis.
What is dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR)?
Methotrexate was later successfully used to treat this disease involving abnormal cell growth, including breast tumors.
What is Cancer?
Mycophenolate is commonly sold under these brand names.
What are CellCept or Myfortic ?
Immunomodulators change the activity of this body system.
What is the immune system?
This drug improves immune response by increasing the activity of T cells.
What is lenalidomide?
Lenalidomide also increases the activity of these immune cells that destroy infected or cancer cells.
What are natural killer (NK) cells?
This FDA scientist raised safety concerns that prevented thalidomide from being approved in the United States.
Dr. Frances Kelsey
These drugs regulate or suppress the immune system.
What are immunomodulators ?
Prednisone reduces inflammation by decreasing these immune signaling molecules.
What are cytokines ?
Revlimid is the brand name for this immunomodulatory drug used to treat multiple myeloma.
What is lenalidomide?
By blocking DNA production, methotrexate prevents this process needed for cell growth.
What is cell division?